The very first Laphroaig I didn't like was the QC. So, going in, I expected not to like this, and be smacked with a 2x4 oak on the palette. Instead I got a sweetness combined with the classic peat smoke. The sweetness is there, but not overpowering, just enough to counterbalance the oak and peat. I held off buying this year's Cairdeas, I just don't have any masochistic fantasies of being hit with a smoky oak tree. I stand corrected...will be buying a bottle soon enough. Thanks to my friend Lee for this sample, which he graciously gave as a bonus to the round 4 trading team offering.