Let me start off with the observation that the glass and silicone cork on this bottle is HEAVY. It maybe equal in weight and heft to the one adorning the I.W. Harper 15 - about the weight of a D-size battery. Although that doesn't reflect on the contents, it still makes for a grand presentation for anything other than those unicorn, investment bottles. The nose is honeyed, lightly floral, but brief with ethanol notes popping in quite early. This recalls an Irish whiskey profile, aroma-wise. The palate, however, is scotch-like in journey but shorter in development. Flavor wise, it's smooth floral honey at first, before turning into liquified butterscotch. This is followed by light nuttiness, and finishes with an effervescence that balances ex-bourbon and ex-sherry influences, while bordering astringency. At $90, this is not a logical value-for-money proposition. I can name at least a dozen Scotches in the same price range that out drink this. Nonetheless, the bottle itself is easily a $20 value - if decanters are what you're into. And I've this nagging feeling I'll most likely pick this up again, just to keep a pleasing Japanese spirit on hand (and, with a bottle equivalent of eye candy as an added bonus). Cheers!