Nose is wet cut grass, dry campfire smoke and cigar ash with maybe fresh jasmine or honeysuckle teasing in the background. No peat, no meat, no heat. Palate is very smooth, very creamy and rich, with an all-over instant mouth coating; sweet dried jerky, pears, dried apricot and peat smoke (finally) all collide into a glorious mishmash of flavor that persists for 20-30 seconds. Closes short and dry with the cigar ash again appearing and lingering quite pleasantly. A very nice dram. That is, I mean, a very nice dram unless you were actively seeking an Ardbeg. Because this is the first Ardbeg I’ve ever had that I couldn’t immediately identify as Ardbeg. The hay notes are missing, there’s no oil or tartness, and the smoke is so muted, so faint, that you question if it’s actually peated at all. Kudos are earned for not only making something that breaks with the standard, but doing so in an exceptional way. I am now in a hunt for more bottles before they are all gone.