Unruly and robust as always, this peated expression of single malt from one of the oldest distilleries in the Highlands has been made only moderately more polite by a 46 months finish in a second fill Oloroso hogshead: the sherry influence is light, and it leaves the muscular power of the whisky intact. Only slightly winey at the nose, but definitely nutty, with a hint of red berries. Then leather, peat smoke, charred wood, and the unmistakeable earthy note of this distillery. At the palate, it’s quite dry, markedly oaky and tannic, with plenty of liquorice root, and a vegetal note. The liquorice starts to grow more intense and sweeter towards the end, but always matched by an equal increase of tannins and pepper. Definitely a whisky for lovers of intense flavours and earthy, oaky character!