Nose: Rich, strong, pungent and oily with notes of coal and cinders - like the firebox on a steam-powered locomotive. There’s also masses of sherry, dark fruit, lemon, vanilla, tarred rope, espresso and spices, backed up by cedarwood, both fresh-hewn and burning. An aroma of frying herring, cooked on the stoker's shovel over the firebox (yes, they used to do that in the old days, on the Mallaig steam trains). Palate: For a fraction of a second the arrival is sweet, rounded and fruity - then the locomotive comes hurtling into the station, cloaked in billowing soot and steam. Asphalt, over-brewed lapsang souchong, preserved lemons, grapefruit, olives, licorice, oysters and a touch of burnt honey. That's just the arrival. As it develops everything broadens and becomes richer, with the sherry influence cutting through the smoke. Dark bitter chocolate infused with hot cinnamon and ginger. Orange, raisins, currents and dates swimming in malt. The smoke keeps re-asserting itself. Finish: The finish ... is eternal. Like a pile of smoldering tarry rags, you'll be sensing it 24 hours later as dark, almost burnt, caramel and peat-reek dwindle into the aftertaste. A magnificent thing, but maybe too intense for everyday tasting - I like to share it with friends occasionally, but for an everyday smoky dram I prefer a more relaxed pace. When it was first released this whisky caused quite a stir in the community and in my opinion it was an outstanding 5-star dram. Since then it has diminished a little in impact, and I have the feeling the sherry casks they are using are not as good as they once were, however it’s still a very good (and very powerful) whisky. “Very Good” : 87/100 (4.25 stars)