I think this does best with a little water. Without, it seems like it's too tightly wound, and a little hard to pick apart the notes. With a splash of water and some time to open up, the nose is berries, vanilla custard, barbecue smoke, slight iodine, aged cheese, leather. The palate is creamy custard with blackberry, balanced with sweet smoke. Citrus fruit, a little peppery spice, leather, dark chocolate. I purchased before any reviews had come out because I knew it would be good -- I've enjoyed everything I've tried from Bruichladdich. The question was just how good. I've had a couple pours now a couple weeks apart, and I think it's very good to great. It's not an instant favorite as I thought it could be, but I'm definitely glad to have a bottle to see how it evolves.