I'm revisiting this as I tried more of it and have more scotches to compare to. It's not as peaty and rich as the 12 or 16. there is definitely smoke, but it opens up after some time. It's smooth and balanced, but this is how I feel it standouts: - campfire, bright, some burn but it doesn't come off as alcohol burn, but as there is actual fire. - it's not as peaty as Laphroaig - not as salty/briny as Talisker - not as ashy, earthy as Ardbeg It doesn't mean that Lagavulin 8 doesn't have these features, it's just none of these actually as present as in the mentioned above counterparts. I would say a bright campfire would be the best way that describe it and I love that