One of the holy trinity of Islay peat monsters, Ardbeg is an incredible value at around $50 (as is Laphroaig 10). The light color of this scotch belies a full-throated, heavy metal aesthetic -- heavy smoke and peat on the nose and palate, burnt caramel sweetness with some hints of citrus acid and a smattering of herbs and spices, and then a powerful toasted finish that balances spice, smoke, and salt. 7/9/17 Update: I had a dram of Ardbeg 10 while smoking a cigar. The fun thing about combining certain sensory experiences (like wine and cheese, or cigars and whiskey) is that both constituent elements change, in a way that can enhance one's appreciation or understanding of both. I've heard people say that Ardbeg or Islay scotches in general have a seafood or fish-like note to them, and I had never picked up on it. But when I nosed Ardbeg after a few puffs of a Montecristo No. 1, the smoke from the scotch was no longer perceptible and that seafood scent dominated the glass. To be honest, I'm not a big seafood guy, so I'm going to stick to Ardbeg without a cigar in the future. Definitely an interesting experience!