To preserve the intensely peated and mineral character of the spirit of this Islay malt, we chose a brief 6 months finish in a third fill Virgin Oak hogshead. Very clean and maritime at the nose, it’s extremely smoky, ashy, rich with vegetal and citrusy notes. At the palate, it’s enveloping, mouthcoating and intense: firm maltiness, but then salty, with a powerful blast of peat smoke and tar. In spite of the smokiness, it retains a dry clean quality, lemony and agile, with no oiliness. Ony in the finale some sweeter touches, and a whiff of vanilla, shine through.