Nose: immediately met with sweet notes vanilla cream, lemon meringue, pear, buttered waffle, and possibly a light note of mint. Digging deeper, you find layers of Islay funk consisting of light brine, damp moss and earth, with a distinct sage. Taste: initial burst of fresh black pepper and Islay funk (all the funk from the nose). Mid-palate shifts tones with the addition of sweeter notes including vanilla cream, waffle, pear, and lemon tart. The sweetness gradually tapers off into a lingering peppery earth. Final notes: just a classic example of the beauty that can be found in an unpeated Islay whisky. Bruichladdich already sets a standard with their Classic Laddie but their Islay Barley releases are rather unique derivatives. This is full of complexities that I'm sure I have not completely explored and I expect to find more as I continue to return back to this bottle. Returning to the nose after a sip is also rather refreshing because the sweeter qualities condense. Definitely a great whiskey that offers an enjoyably complex nose and taste. Disclaimer: If you cannot find the 2009 release anymore, consider just purchasing the Classic Laddie. I would say their profile is only 10-15% different with much of the core notes still being present in the Laddie. This happens to just be much sweeter.