Lingering just under the thick smokiness there is something like a rich marmalade, along with a warm honey-meade, perhaps there is a non-Blue Label Johnnie worth taking a look through. The nose is bright, full and sweet. I always feel out of place doing these Scotch reviews, as someone who spends 99% of my time sampling Bourbon, American whiskey and Rye, for me Scotch is like feeling my way along in the dark of a house I've never been in before. The full malt-barley flavor was never my thing and I always remember the really awful malt alcohol wine coolers that came into being when I was a kid. So take full warning, this is a bourbon drinkers opinion and nothing more! The smoke and iodine subside a bit after a heavy coating of the tongue, and amazing flavors emerge, some really nice tea and honey nut cereal sweetness, along with the mentioned orange notes. I like the non-Islay factors a good deal, it's just wading through the smokey salty brine to get there that doesn't tempt me much. There is a little dryness on the end with just some lemon zest that I actually find really nice, it kind of reminds me of a party that happens in your mouth but then cleans up after itself. I can safely say this is easily the most complex Johnnie you will find, far more bold of character than the Blue Label that excels at being smoother than butter on a silk plate. And far more interesting than the myriad of Blacks and Golds the brand throws at you, you can accuse Green Label of many things, but being boring isn't one of them. While I won't be giving up on my Booker's anytime soon, I can see pushing the Blue over and making a second spot for a Green JW on my bar. Cheers!