I'm going to start off with simply, wow. This is only my second of the lovely Bruichladdich distillery and I definitely want to taste as many different varieties they make available. The first I had was the Rockside Farm 2007 release and it quickly became a must-have whisky for me. Naturally, as with all must-have whiskys, it was the only bottle I've been able to acquire and it quickly disappeared. Now, I don't see myself allowing this whisky to disappear from my shelf nearly as quickly because while "wow" there is also a bit of mystery here. Islay whiskys are known for their quality in general, but also for their peaty smoke characteristic and The Classic Laddie is unpeated so I'm quite out of my depths in terms of familiarity. This whisky is still very much an Islay in that is a challenge to get to grips with. It isn't trying to be your friend, but you goddamn respect it. There is that identifiable brutality of Islay, but that smoke is absent which gives me pause. I'm still very much a novice so I struggle with notes at the best of times, but this is a whole other ball game. I know that I enjoy it, but it is definitely not for everybody. This is the kind of whisky that if some good friend with good intentions poured me this back in the days of yore when keg-stands were common, I'd be turned off from whisky due to its unkind complexities. Thankfully, I'm a lot older and a little wiser and am spared the life of vodka and cranberry juice in favor of this magnificent, beautiful beast. That is not to say it is without fault, of course. The finish is a somewhat lacking and I do miss a bit of that smoke, though those are hardly criticisms. While I may prefer its Rockside Farm peated brother, this whisky is an absolute joy. Should I stumble upon it again, I'll be quite happy to pick it up and enjoy. Sláinte