Date Cask Filled: 24th November 1976. Date Bottled: 5th May 2004. Ltd Edition Bottle Number: 466 of 504. Cask Type: Sherry Butt. Cask Number: 2398. Signed by Stuart Thomson, Ardbeg's then Distillery Manager. Nose: A wonderful complex mix of rich, deep fruit treacle & toffee intricately woven with peat smoke & oily notes. At full strength, the aroma is of treacle, demerara sugar & 'old Jamaica' chocolate packed with raisins. Beneath the layers of sweetness, Christmas pudding is discovered closely followed by after dinner mints by the fireside. With water, the flavour opens up to reveal a broad spectrum of deep salty notes, peat emerges with iodine, linseed oil & creosote, shoe polish & waxed jackets are discovered followed by spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves). Sherry trifle is present throughout giving a softness throughout giving a softness & roundness to the aroma. Taste: Full-flavoured & velvety-smooth, the mouthfeel is like wrapping the palate in a soft suede-leather coat giving a warming & lightly 'furring' effect. The flavour is initially of dried fruit covered in lashings of chocolate (reminiscent of chocolate raisins), with treacle toffees & spices (including cardamom seeds). Tobacco smoke gradually builds up on the palate with hints of warm leather & candle wax, progressing to a savoury smoked food flavour characteristic of smoked venison. Finish: Long & full with the character of smoked venison, spices & barbecue sauce.