The nose has a very sharp brine and a harsh vegetal note like radishes or turnips. I get some cask wood as well, with a hint of caramel. It tastes like it smells. There is a sharp brine that tastes like a rough sea on a stormy day. The peat is vegetal and the smoke is ashy. It's like being in a seaside hut during a storm, warming yourself by a smoky fire. The malt flavor comes through the harsher elements, and hints of caramel emerge as well as shortbread. It has medicinal character character and has very strong phenol. The phenol dominates the palate. The flavors are not well balanced, but that's ok. They really battle for their place in this storm in a glass. The "lack" of balance actually makes it much more interesting. The peat phenol and brine dominate the finish. This is one of the most phenolic whiskeys I've had in recent memory - which seems odd for me to say because I love Islay whiskey, and this somehow seems more phenolic than many of those. Something savory like smoked fish emerges late. I am pleasantly surprised by this. This is a maritime whiskey even by maritime standards!