Nose: Medium intensity. Pears and litchi comes to mind at first, followed quickly with white pepper and cedar wood. Light sherry notes with almonds and general vinous notes. Light cloves and tiny bit of baby powder. Taste: Starts fruity with the pears, litchi, plums and green apples but is at the same time balanced with the cedar wood and white pepper. Vanilla, caramel and dryish cherry appears in the taste from the bourbon barrels I suppose. The sherry is more apparent in the taste with distinct nuttiness and vinous notes. A little raisins and strawberries. Some light peat with notes of rubber and smoke. Slightly salty with soy sauce (which comes I suppose from the little amount of peated malts in this). Not a lot of super apparent grain in this. WITH WATER: A little bit of water will definitely bring up the fruits, sherry notes and tannins. Becomes a little bit medicinal. Finish: Medium to long finish. Finishes slightly salty and smoky/soy sauce (from Yoichi) with cinnamon, orange zest and a little nuttyness. Somewhat dry and a little floral. Mouthfeel: Medium to light feel. I wonder how great it would have been if it weren't chill filtered. A little prickly Overall: This is truly excellent stuff and tremendous value. Super complex but none of the flavors are very "deep". Considering the youth, the color added and the chill filtration, this is a testament to the incredible talent of the blender.