Smoking a pipe by a dying fire in shack on a cliff by the water on a cold night. First impression is strong medicinal, like what I imagine a strong medicine would smell like in the 1800’s. Also hints of pipe tobacco, some brine, leather, and a little bit of vanilla in the background. The first sip hits you with the same medicinal peat, but it isn’t harsh at all. Most definitely strong, almost overwhelming, but extremely smooth, and much sweeter than I was expecting. For 48%, it’s uncomfortably easy to drink. This is a scotch that makes me feel like an manly old timer scotch drinker. As you continue sips, the peat opens up into really nice old leather and pipe tobacco. Also some distinct numbing on my lips and tip of my tongue, most likely due to the abv. The finish is nice and long, carrying most of the tobacco flavor. The biggest thing for me is that each sip rates better than last. The finish settles down and leaves me craving more. This is my favorite scotch to date (6ish bottles, but mostly cheap anyway). What I like most about this scotch is that while it has that peaty, Britney, slightly harsh coastal taste, it is still warming and inviting. This bottle also has the honor of being the first in my Rotation™️. I haven’t tried the 10yo yet, but from what I’ve read they are relatively similar so maybe that one will be better, but we will see when I finish this bottle. My last note: I sat down, wrote this tasting while drinking significantly more of my pour without even noticing, and got way more of a buzz than I was trying to get. This is a dangerous scotch, but in a great way.