Taster

Nose: Smoky, phenolic, but restrained.

Palate: Oily, creamy, juicy, sherryish, raisiny, nutty, almondy, spicy.

Finish: Big. Sappy, oaky.

Comment: A terrific whisky, beautifully rounded, with lots of everything.

Score: 8.8

Taster

Nose: Well restrained despite enormity.

Palate: Massive peat surge countered by an oaky dryness. But soon the peat returns.

Finish: Remains oily to the death.

Comment: Huge and uncompromising, this is true classic among the world's single malts.

Score: 9.3