Well done Laphroaig. With the Lore you've produced something that proves not all NAS releases are a waste of time and money. On the contrary, this stuff is fantastic. On the nose, I agree with the expert notes of briny peat and roasted nuts. Heavy smoke and ash. I also detect a very faint sherry sweetness. Slight fruity notes of plum and pomegranate as well. Very potent and very complex. On the palate, I am immediately met with a strong note of dark chocolate. It's an artful balance of sweetness and bitterness. The brine and sea salt carry over from the nose. The smoke is still there, but it's significantly turned down as compared to the nose. Once again, there is a faint presence of sherry influence. A slight cinnamon burn somewhere in the middle. I read something online that described a chili note in the Lore. I find that this is the most apt way to sum up the finish. The sweet and bitter notes become a spicy and that 48% ABV provides a good punch on the way out. This is a rich and delicious Islay. I highly recommend it, age statement or not. It helps that they are very transparent about the contents of the Lore on their website. I'm more than halfway through the bottle, and I must say that I'm very impressed after being disappointed by my first glass. There's a lot going on here, and I find something new every time I revisit this one. When I bought it, it was $115. Less than a month later, that same store had dropped it down to a sale price of $80. I don't want to let my unfortunate timing ruin my experience with the bottle though. I'd say it's true value is somewhere in between the two. At $115 I'd still buy it again, and at $80 it's an absolute steal. Well done Laphroaig.