‘Home is the sailor, home from the sea’ – led by the nose – sea breezes over summer meadows, gorse, fish boxes, barbecued lobster and peat smoke from a fisherman’s cottage – we could practically see the twinkling lights of home. Water brought perfumed oils, spring flowers, honey, orange peel, caramel, root beer and sun-bleached driftwood on the machair. The palate was sweet, smoky, nutty and lip-smacking; smooth but drawing, with barley sugars, lobster bisque, treacle, honey-glazed ham, burnt sticks, embers and Old English Spangles. Cleaner and more straightforward with water – the smoke lingered, becoming the very fabric of dreams. From Islay’s biggest distillery.