Ardbeg has a reputation for scotch that screams with peat and smoke. This new creation, which marks the first time that Ardbeg has ever used port pipes for maturation, shows balance and restraint that belie its over-the-top name. Yes, the peat is there but also candied walnut, orange peel, grilled meat, and pleasant minerality. This is a mix of whiskies aged 9 to 13 years, roughly one-third matured in bourbon barrels, the rest in port casks. The finish is exceptionally long; fitting for a dram you want to taste again and again. —David Savona