I think this is a really beautiful whisky. I find it to be more layered than other Highland Scotches. I give the credit to the small cask maturation. I think it’s fair to compare this to the Laphroaig Quarter Cask. The Laphroaig QC personally wasn’t my favorite because of the intense barrel tannins. It was a reasonably dry whisky and I believe Laphroaig is more at home as a meaty and juicy whisky. This is very different though, because unlike the Laphroaig, I believe the small casks give this Highland a beautiful oaky richness. Now it has some wood tannins but it’s not overpowering or dry. I think it has the wood notes that is missing in the Oban 14. This reminds me of the Glenfiddich Bourbon Barrel reserve with more of a floral component. I think in this, the wood helps bring out the peatiness more so than the standard Oban 14. I actually prefer this to the 14. I find it more interesting and a little more complex. I don’t know what it is, but I happen to find that non-age-statement Scotches have a lot to offer. In many cases I like them more than the standard age statement releases. I know a lot of people only get Scotches that have ages on it because it makes them feel like there’s more prestige involved. I feel so bad for those people because they’re missing out on Scotches like the Ardbeg Corryvreckan, Laphroaig Lore, and this. Focus on the Juice, not the label.