A slightly more delicate than usual variation on the traditionally very robust and earthy peated single malt from this historical distillery in the Highlands, with a finish of 46 months in a second fill Oloroso butt. The influence of the wood has been lighter than in other expressions, and the distillery style remains quite intact. Not explicitly winey at the nose, but it still shows a certain dry character, some nuttiness, and the typical note of leather books and ancient wood furniture. At the palate, while not sweet, it’s gentler and smoother than usual: plenty of tannins, of pepper, of earthy notes and leather, but it’s relatively restrained and actually quite balanced. The finale grows slightly more tannic, with pleasant notes of black liquorice.