Cold and brisk outside on this Sunday evening. Country music playing with a warming fire blazing in the wood stove. A bit of evening stillness of an impending freezing Nor’easter somewhere, at this moment, creeping towards us from the Midwest. A perfect time for an Islay whisky. Fortunately, I have a sample provided by Lee. I am greeted with that lovely, Laphroaig sweet peatiness with a maritime touch of salt, seaweed and iodine within a damp earthiness. A sweet side of toffee, vanilla with a hickory-smoked meat. This nose is one I can inhale all day as this conjures up visions if a wintry New England seaside fishing harbor. Delivered in a strong wood-influenced body that is very drying; as if I am chewing on a toothpick. Traceable amounts of sherry and pecans, walnut lurk in the background. A crescendoing black pepper spice rises and fades rapidly near the end as it work towards the finish. The palate is left with cigar smoke, sweet BBQ char, ash, oak and spearmint flavors. A touch of creme brulee creeps up and the very end of the finish. This is a nice, warming whisky that brings forth a bit of the sea, BBQ, woodiness and earthiness: classical elemental simpleness of fire, earth, water and air with a fifth element, not aether, but of sugary sweetness. An Islay peatiness that is not overdone. [Dry Glass: wet-charred wood with tea and honey][88/100][Tasted: 3/12/17] ---------------------------------------------------- Initial sample review: Whisky on the Hudson 9/18/2014 : Trace amount of peat with some spice and fruits on the nose. Fruits, spices and oak on the palate. Balanced, sweeter finish which is pleasingly long. I enjoyed this a greatly. I need to add to my collection.