Bruichladdich 17yo Straight from the Cask

Continuing my series of whisky reviews from my recent trip to Scotland. One very enjoyable bottle was from a distillery I'm not usually a fan of... Bruichladdich. During the warehouse tour, they offered some rare cask strength expressions, including this 17-year-old, vintage 2004. Matured in a first-fill bourbon cask, bottled at 60% ABV. On the nose, it's quite intriguing. Freshly made rice; grapefruit, green apples, and fondant. Hints of apple spice, peach halves, and freshly baked brownies. After the first sip, the characteristic "soapy" notes from Bruichladdich emerged. Corny; apple juice, green apple peel. On the palate, it was excellent. Peaches, sugar syrup, sawdust, and apples. Brownies. Peppery and strongly spiced. The aftertaste was a bit unusual for a "Laddie." It seemed charred. Notes of ashtray, chocolate, scorching, but pleasant. Dark pepper. Overall, this was an exceptionally complex and great dram, which is beginning to alter my general opinion of this distillery, as I've also sampled some of their "Black Arts" expressions and found them to be quite good. Truly a beautiful single malt, my rating is 93 out of 100.