Ardbeg – An Oa Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (70cl, 46.6%)

This is An Oa, an Islay single malt from Ardbeg, bottled at 46.6% in a 70cl bottle. It is non-chill-filtered. The nose is rounded and smoky, like burning applewood, with creamy toffee, aniseed, treacle and dates. With water come lime, pine resin, fennel and tar, along with a hint of briny seaweed. The palate is smooth and creamy, with syrupy sweetness, milk chocolate, treacle toffee, orange, nutmeg, cinnamon and cigar smoke. The finish is lingering, with aniseed, hickory and distant smoke.