The perfect balance between rugged Islay character, and the smoothness that only first fill bourbon casks can impart: a muscular and stormy dram, but with a creamy backbone. The nose has the dark and brooding notes of the sea and of chimney smoke that one expects from such a whisky, but the peaty pungency is matched by a clean malty background and a hint of vanilla. We are particularly proud of the great balance of taste that it’s obvious from the first sip: it’s powerful, smoky and very balsamic, but not aggressive or sharp. The vanilla sweetness from the cask enhances the rich cereal notes, and the result is intense and creamy at the same time. Peat smoke lingers for a long time in the aftertaste, with a delicate sweetness to accompany it.