NOSE Mild overall, with some prickle. A fleeting sweet top note of candied chestnuts soon settles into more familiar suggestions of linament and an oily mineral note. This last takes hold, becoming a sweet pungency. Water brings it out as linseed oil with thick, fragrant smoke in the classic Lagavulin vein, edged here by dark hints of char.

PALATE At natural strength, the texture is thick and oil-smooth, while the taste is intense; it is fleetingly sweet then piquant with spice that quickly rises in importance, as rich waves of smoke, salt and hot pepper take over. Noticeably palate-drying. Superbly full on at natural strength. A dash of water smooths it out, in time emphasising the spicy dryness, which is still backed by a smoky intensity.

FINISH Long, still intensely piquant and appreciably drying, with that pepper-spice warmth leaving a delicious nutty and smoky aftertaste. Similar and even longer with water, the smoke somehow growing with time.