A superbly dark, heavy and powerful Islay malt, that took benefit from a finish for 12 months in Virgin Oak. The very active casks did not enhance the sweetness, and did not add buttery notes this time: on the contrary, they amplified the rugged character of the whisky. At the nose it curiously seems almost winey, with the deep tannins of a structured red. Huge notes of leather, charcoal, and the balsamic touch of pinewood and resin. At the palate it’s layered, wide, impactful: there is hint of fatness, but it remains overall quite dry, with plenty of liquorice root, tannins, herbaceous notes, damp earth, and enveloping chimney smoke. The finale is, again, quite oaky… but impressively tarry and ashy.