I have tested Lore three times. First time was after some Forty Creek Unity. The Lore was magical. The second time was after Bowmore 12 and Highland Park 12. The Highland was rated far higher than the Bowmore and the Lore was rated higher than the Highland. Another win for Lore. Now for the cautionary notes. Lore was tested side by side with Laphroaig 10 by four Scotch drinkers that appreciate peat. There was silence and lots of back and forth. Lore was not a clear winner and the 10 not only stood up well it was possibly as good in its own way (not as hot, smoke was more campfire like without the sherry influence). There was no clear statement that Lore was superior. The samples were repoured as the test was closer than any of us imagined considering Lore is more than double the price of the 10. The final verdict - Lore is fantastic. Now for the “but”. The 10 is also fantastic and if you like the sherry influence on Laphroaig there is the Triple Wood at a price just above the 10. In fact you can get the 10 AND the Triple Wood for less than the Lore here. For my money I would buy a 10 and a Triple Wood next time. A 4 due to the price. If I wasn’t paying the bill it would be a 5. Nose - smoke, iodine, sea brine, sherry Palette - rich, smooth, intense but not as hot as a 48 abv can be, smoke, sherry, iodine, spice, rounded Finish - smoke, some dryness (European oak and sherry), medium, spice