This is, I think, my first time trying a proper peated scotch. The nose caught me first. At first, I thought maybe I’d wasted a bunch of money on this bottle. It was intense, reminding me of some challenging smoked lagers from Germany that I’ve been known to enjoy, but only if I’m truly in the mood for it. The smokiness was expected, but perhaps not so much the depth and complexity of the rest of the flavor profile. Salty brine, a strong umami-like presence, and I guess that “medicinal” quality I’ve seen mentioned. I don’t get bandaid outright, although I’m familiar with the flavor from trying dirty Spanish-style ciders and funky beers, but it could be too integrated for me to pick it out individually on first taste. But there is a lot going on here and it is strangely addictive. My initial response was one of intrigue and skepticism, but I kept coming back again and again, for “just one more sip” only to uncover more. Can’t yet place this properly on the spectrum of competitors in the same style, but for now this ranks as one of the most interesting things I’ve tried and might be a milestone moment for me in my spirit journey