I finally tried this Islay workhorse. It is unapologetically peaty and yet not unpleasant. Visual: In the glass it is a pale straw color, much like a Riesling. A swirl creates a few thin legs. Nose: Smoky and fruity. I’m not sure what the cask finishing is, but I know it isn’t sherry. Ex-bourbon? It is surprisingly bright and citrusy, even floral, given the high reported peat content. It’s also a little oaky and spicy, with a little bit of alcohol kick burning the sinuses. This aspect calms down after a few minutes’ rest. Palate: Surprisingly sweet at first with honey on the attack. Sweetness continues with dark chocolate and fragrant pipe tobacco mid-palate. The body is not particularly full or thick – I’d characterize as medium bodied. A faint flavor of smoked meats looms in the background, but isn’t as prominent as the bacon meatiness of a Talisker 10 or the smoked barbecue meatiness of a Lagavulin 16. Pipe tobacco fades into pipe ash or campfire soot on swallowing. Finish: The finish is long and warm, with soot playing a major role, along with a bit of a medicinal quality comes through, particularly when exhaling through the nostrils. The sooty ash lingers in the nostrils for a while. The dry glass has the smell of Chloraseptic throat spray, soot, and trail mix. My overall opinion is that this whisky is for true peat devotees – a designation to which I have yet to ascend. While I enjoy the boldness of Talisker, the elegance of Lagavulin, and the indescribable perfection of Highland Park (and even Bowmore, but don’t tell Pranay), I thought this was a bit too much to the sooty side. I prefer smoke to soot or ash in my whisky. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it, nor that I wouldn’t drink it again. I just would reach for one of the other drams before Ardbeg 10. @Davie Warner, this one didn’t scare me away! I would put this in the low 80’s/100 for 4 minus stars (3.5 if I could) but not because I believe there is anything wrong with the craft of this whisky, it’s just not in my flavor profile wheelhouse.