This is a big Scotch. If you don't enjoy peat, I would just move along. However, if you enjoy the classic Islay, ashy peat then this is a beauty. The nose has big sherry notes, with lots of raisin and sweetness. The smoke comes up quickly too and balances off the fruit. When I take a sip, this one explodes in the palate. Lots of smoke, ash, pepper, and finally settles back to allow the vanilla and sweet sugars to come back. A few more sips and it's balanced again with cooked fruits, BBQ, and smoke. The finish on this is long and moves through various stages. At first I'm getting lots of tobacco and leather, then a bitter medicinal stage, but ends off with that deep, cooked down fruit or dry red wine. There are edges of youth, with bitterness and sharpness in the nose, however, overall I just love this one. Thanks, Ardbeg!