I tasted this non-age statement single malt Islay scotch neat at 54.2%abv, and again with a little added water, in the evening. It is non-chill filtered with natural colour. The warm Ardbeg peat smoke does not take the lead, surprisingly, but lays the ground for a whole ton of notes on the nose and palate. I will do my best to identify those that I can. Raisin and damp forest wood on the nose with a soft sweetness that lingers. The taste is an immaculate force of nature with the most perfect balance of dark fruit, some roses, campfire smoke, and a characteristic Ardbeg brine. The finish is very long with lingering raisin, rye bread, some black peppercorn, and the smoke evolving into a specific umami flavour I adore but cannot quite identify. I would like to have seen this as an age statement with more information on the label. Nonetheless, this is as perfect as it gets for my tastes in an Islay scotch.