I’ve done all the NAS whiskies in Ardbeg’s core range, and somehow have not gotten around to the cornerstone—the 10 year. With Laphroaig 10 and Lagavulin 16, this expression completes the holy trinity of Islay malts. Let’s see if this one can hold up to those two stalwarts (Spoiler: I’ve had this many times, and it will.) Nose: Heavy campfire smoke, peat, sea salt, seaweed, brine, iodine, and bandaid. A dousing of lemon citrus. Agave. Chestnut and almond. Menthol. Smoked meat. Black pepper and cinnamon. Palate: More of the campfire smoke, pear, sea salt, seaweed, brine, iodine, and bandaid. Milk chocolate, saltwater taffy, and peanut butter. Sugar cookie. Heavy grapefruit with a compliments of lemon and orange citrus. Agave. Black bean, red pepper chili. Cinnamon, black pepper, and oak. Fiery. Finish: Campfire smoke, peat, sea salt, seaweed, and brine. Dark chocolate, vanilla, and sugar cookie. Chestnut and almond. Smoked meats. Black bean, red pepper chili. Black pepper, cinnamon, and oak. Moderate-long finish. The Corry and Oogie are high bars for any whisky to clear. But this fits in neatly behind those behemoths as a standout in the core range. It’s better than the An Oa, and perhaps the best value of the lot. It easily stands up to the Lap 10 and Lag 16. At $55, this is an amazing value. One of the best flagship whiskies one can buy and an amazing representation of the power of Islay. Not for the faint of heart, but a must have for any peat-head. 4.5/5.