I'm nosing the smoke from across the room after opening. True to form. The smoke doesn't allow me to detect any subtle scents ... but I know they are there and will emerge over time as the smoke settles. On the lips the smokey peat mixes with an unexpected sweetness and then the swallow brings a very nice burn with a salty aftertaste that lingers about the same as when going back to the beach from an ocean swim. This is amazing scotch. I swear I would never need to drink anything other than the liquid products of South Islay and be a very happy man. It's like comfort food. Very glad I caught this on sale. Every sip brings more of that hit of intense sweetness within the smokey meat filled core and I struggle to understand how such tastes can combine into something utterly desirable. Just another victim of the Islay spell. In PA the cost difference between the 16 and the Distillers Edition is usually around $10. So I will likely spend the extra and continue to buy the D.E., which is my all time fave. A more complex dram and a bargain at the asking price. But the 16 certainly makes it's own mark and does so without the never ending medicinal aftertastes, of say, Laphroaig. 4.5 stars - but only for the relatively short finish. FYI - I never let anything more than a tiny sip of this get in my mouth at one time. It's too damn good for tossing it back. $92 in PA but I paid $75 in Md with $20 off sale.