Visual: In the glass it is a deep gold. Thick languid legs form on the sides after swirling. Nose: Charcoal aroma is sensed a foot from the glass, but oddly seems to tame even as the glass is drawn toward the nose. Raisins, salted nuts, and other sweet/salty aromas reminiscent of trail mix or granola bars arrive and then fade into the background as cedar, wet asphalt, and high ABV spiciness come to the fore. I could nose this indefinitely if it didn’t beckon me so insistently to imbibe. Palate: Sweet honey on the tongue quickly develops into an eye-opening pop of alcohol heat – not unpleasantly, mind you – but jolting enough to say, “hey, this is whisky you’re drinking, there, fella.” As the alcohol fades, the cigar ash flavors remind you this is a well peated expression from Islay. With continued sipping, the jolt of the high ABV seems to subside a little (as the palate becomes accustomed), and the dram seems to get sweeter, with honey, hay and malt taking their places mid palate. The peat is well integrated throughout, but tends to be more concentrated pre-finish, with a little dark chocolate bitterness entering the picture. Finish: The finish is long and quite warm. There is a little cigar ash at play, but it is not as ashy/sooty as the Ardbeg 10. However, much like the 10-year expression, the medicinal camphor quality comes through, particularly when exhaling through the nostrils. The dry glass has the smell of dried fruits (mostly raisins), pipe tobacco, cigar ash, and wood. Overall, this was much more enjoyable for the than the 10-year. Would I get this again? Most certainly, if I’m in the mood for a little extra kick of peat beyond my other favorite peated malts (Talisker, Lagavulin). This is a mid-80’s 4-star dram.