Nose: a bit shy, warming spices, fruits, nuts, orange zest, honey, floral. For the second try it was more sherried, less floral than I remembered. Some burn on nose with deeper breath.
Palate: honey sweet, nuts, then pungent just before swallowing it.
Finish: sweetness, some spices. Bit of dryness.
With water: more floral and fruity on nose. More aggressive spiciness on palate. More dryness at finish. Bit tart. Much longer and bold aftertaste vs Highland Park 12.
I enjoyed it more neat. I like more the sherry bombs, or heavy peat that punches, not the pungent spice on the palate. This has no punch on nose, trying to be in between, to deliver something to everyone.
Maglód