Nose: smoke, dried fruits, ethanol, citrus... smells like suppose to smell proper whiskey in minds of majority. Palate: friendly, light sweetness, oak, smoke and spices. Warm but not too much burn and alcohol is there but in proper amount. It's not so harsh as you would thought by the name "black" and affordable price. Palate is more balanced and complex than nose for me. You can spend quite some time discovering new shades and notes. Finish: medium, silky, pleasant, woody and fruits. I can't say anything particularly bad about this blend except the price in Canada - it's 58 cad (47usd) , it's just too much. You can find a decent single malt in this price range. Black is twice more expensive than Red, is it twice better? It's an open question... Just wish it would be in 35usd price range. Doubt I'll buy it myself, only on promotion or discount.