@distance66 - yes, that sounds right in approach. But stick to your guns with the first tastes and be strictly neat. Tis the only way to know what's truly in the bottle and God given. All the rest is post-human tinkering piled upon distiller's human tinkering. Not that there's anything wrong with it. (kudos to Seinfeld)

Thanks everyone. I am for sure gonna explore more. Also, I will leave my thoughts again for this one in a few months and with a splash of water and over ice.

@distance66 Well, you obviously liked the taste of smoky whisky 🙂 The next step depends on whether you want to stay with that style or try something contrasting. Laphroaig 10, Lagavulin 16, Kilchoman Loch Gorm and Caol Ila 12 are all excellent Islay whiskies in the same ballpark. If you want something completely different to the Ardbeg then GlenDronach 12, Aberlour 12, Craggenmore 12, Dalmore 12 and Balvenie 12 are all great places to start exploring unpeated scotch with a sherried finish. Other good single malts to try that don't precisely fit either of those two categories are Highland Park 12, Bunnahabhain 12, Glencadam 15 and Arran 14.

dying to try this one

@Clarkebar totally agree...that Laphroaig band aid aroma takes some acclimation

Agree with @WhiskeyLonghorn, especially about the Talisker. For a nice change-up in Ardbeg at a reasonable price, I would suggest the An Oa. The Glenfiddich 14 yr is another great value but with low peat. Save anything Laphroaig for later. One must cultivate the taste for bandaids, iodine and seaweed over time.

Seems like you enjoyed it? Maybe think about Ardbeg 10, Talisker 10, or Ledaig 10.