Loads of peat smoke fills the nose, mixed with juicy sweet berry notes and honeyed cereals. Smoke dominates the palate initially, but gives way to sweet heat in the form of jammy stewed red plums, pluots, cherries, and figs along with intense chai-like spices of cracked pepper, cinnamon, and star anise. Upon swallowing, the smoke comes to the fore again with a cool ashiness, and everything balances beautifully. In the mouth, the body is full and plush. Coating the glass like a satin sheet, it clings long and strong before collecting droplets into a tight ring that suddenly weeps tears joyously to the liquid’s surface, eventually leaving behind two even bands of mist. It finishes semidry with mild oak tannins resembling lightly sweetened bitter pecans toasted over a smoldering fire along with a dash of orange zest. The sooty peat lingers on and on, soft and satisfying. Nose: 9 Taste: 10 Body: 9 Finish: 9