Curious indeed. Apples and bacon are a time-honored combination, and this offers that and more. On the nose, it’s not much. Some inky smoke and Speyside fruitiness, tea and butter. Nothing special. But the palate really raises the eyebrows. Lovely texture. A slimy fruitiness, like nectarines and papayas, immediately and completely overwhelmed by a savory and ashy peatiness. But the seaspray salt/iodine is lacking, which is interesting. Curious indeed. The finish is dry and ashy, lacking the maritime soul of Islay. I recommend this bottle. Benriach is one of the distilleries that are getting better. This dram is a proper Speyside interpretation of a peat monster. PRESUMPTIVE MARK: 87/100.