We managed to retain the intensity of Islay even with a long maturation: we chose a very long finish (almost six years!) in a first fill Bourbon hogshead, but it didn’t seem to affect the level of peat smoke at all. It is smoother than younger expressions, but still very powerful! At the nose it’s extremely smoky, tarry and aromatic: some balsamic notes, too, for a very dark and peaty experience. And then, at the palate, it’s at the same time very rounded and very Islay: the mouthfeel is creamy and chewy, but the smokiness is in full force. There is a touch of vanilla sweetness, of buttery goodness, but it doesn’t mask the peat. On the long run, an intense note of liquorice shines through. A very mature but still extremely lively peated malt.