It's hard to call yourself a peat-head if you've yet to review this one. It's about damn time I got around to it. This is one of the two high-octane releases in Ardbeg's core range (along with the Corry). It's one of the most highly-touted whiskies from Islay's holy trinity. Let's get into it. Nose: Big peat, big smoke. Campfire smoke, iodine, and a touch of band-aid. @Generously_Paul told me to look for a tennis ball note in Laphroaig. I've yet to test that with a Laphroaig, but I do find that in this one. There's also sea salt and brine. Lemon and grapefruit citrus. Black pepper spice. Creamy custard notes. Some smoked meat. Vanilla, berries, and roasted chestnuts. Small bit of sulphur and tar. I'm not going to try to guess which flower, but I'm getting April flowers. If I didn't stop here, I don't know that I ever would. Stunning nose. Palate: Peat, campfire smoke, iodine, sea salt, sulfur, and brine. Classic Islay. Lemon, lime, and grapefruit. Beacon and brisket, maybe some ribs. Loving the char. The sherry is in full force here. Double chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. With a cherry on top. Some of the dry red fruits on the mid-palate. Sherry-cask aging manifests very differently in peated whiskies, and it's absolutely amazing when the two are working in tandem. As is the case here. Black pepper, cinnamon, and some heavy-hitting chili. Honey, graham cracker, and marshmallow. Once again, I feel like I'm missing a lot, but it should suffice to say that I'm very impressed. Finish: Beast of a finish. Starts off with some residual sulfur and band-aid notes. A bit of dried fruit takes the forefront before the black pepper, cinnamon, and oak notes take over to deliver the tail end of a very long finish. 5/5. I could cut this review right here, but I'll say a couple quick things. This is one of the best peated whiskies I've ever had. One of the most complex. Easily one of the best VFM purchases. And, like Laphroaig Lore, Oogie embodies the true spirit of whisky. It has a bit of everything a die-hard whisky fanatic could hope to find a single bottling. Heavily-peated, near-cask strength, bourbon and sherry barrel aging. And the sum is much greater than the parts. Up next is the Corryvreckan. Between the two, I've had a terribly difficult time deciding which I prefer. So when it's time to write that review, I'll reveal my choice. But for the time being, I'll conclude that this is simply amazing juice. Hell of a job, Ardbeg, here's to you.