A birthday indulgence tonight, and oh what a pleasure! The nose is like an elaborate, motor-powered model of the solar system: some scents whizzing to the front before dissipating just as swiftly; some drifting slowly closer; all intricately weaving, waxing and waning, intertwining, and overlapping. Stellar! No alcohol burn on the nose which is surprising for the ABV; light rubber; clove, but with a sweetness like a clove drop; faint creosote I think; something fruity but I can’t tell what; briny, ashtray notes like burnt seaweed; car ferry deck; light peat but it was not the first thing that struck me; pipe smoke – it, combined with the brine and the peat, conjures childhood memories of my great grandfather’s cottage on Achill island; a trace of a woody smell after a few sips. Overall it is complex and truly enchanting. Nothing too prominent or overpowering. Supremely balanced. There is heat upfront on the palate – I can feel the ABV now. Pepper spice arrival that is also slightly bitter; peat smoke upfront too; earthy, vegetal development; maybe a bit of clove spice too; charred meat; sea salt in the middle and finish; dipping to the lips gives a sweeter profile – brown sugar and licorice; lovely, long, sweet, salty, smoky ash finish – campfire or turf fire ash. Yes, this is a muddled ramble; an outpouring of jumbled thoughts - but that’s what this dram can do to you!