Haters can hate; this is a damn fine blend and a solid value. The nose is full of Speyside sherry notes, with a whiff of smoke in the background. Where this shines, though, is on the palate - a sweet, lush start (creme brulee, vanilla) is lent some delicious complexity as peat smoke and salt moves this one from Speyside to Islay. It lingers on the palate for a long time, reminding me of salted caramel as the slightly briny note mingles with that sherried sweetness. Again, haters can hate, but this is better than some single malts in the same price range.