I’m a fan of all things Islay, and especially the work of Jim McEwan at Bruichladdich. This is no exception. I love peat and even though this is unpeated, the smoky notes you’d expect in an Islay still pull through. Color: Deep copper. Nice legs, a little oily Nose: Stone fruit, cinnamon, clove, and red wine. Really complex bouquet, seems to shift with each sip Palate: Smooth as butter. Baking spices (nutmeg and anise mostly) are there at first. They give way to smoke, pear, and sherry. That quickly drops away for spicy chocolate and fresh cracked black pepper. Finish: Again, super smooth. Fresh baked pear and cinnamon linger for a while. Fantastic scotch all around, quite possibly the best I’ve had. It really is magic in a bottle.