NEAT NOSE - Campfire Ash is the predominant note supported by faint notes of vanilla, pear, and citrus peel. PALATE - The palate is dominated by a sweet, ashy, earthy peat smoke along with a brininess. The peat then starts to fade and gives way to soft notes of vanilla, suggestive of the ex-bourbon casks. Make no mistake, the peat is present throughout the palate and towards the back of the palate, you get the pear and a nice honeycrisp apple note. The mouthfeel is nice and oily. FINISH - Long and lingering sweet, savory peat smoke along with oak. BUY? - Yes, but like me, it may take some time to like and appreciate this one for sure. BUY AGAIN? - When I first tried this, all I got was iodine, bandaids, and unrelenting smoke that gave way to nothing else. I felt like I was opening a BBQ pit and inhaling smoke directly. Over two years, I have tried to learn to appreciate this with maybe six 0.5 ounce pours to no avail. Last week something changed. I’m not sure if it was the time in the bottle or experimenting with more single malts, but I was able to get past the smoke and now appreciate this whisky for its unique and surprisingly savory flavor profile. I can’t believe it but I’m now excited to try more peated whiskies. At the price point, I’ll likely replace this when empty unless I prefer some of Ardbeg’s other expressions.