Good but I wanted more...am I wrong for putting higher expectations on a 12 year for only $50? There's a balance of sweet, smoke, and malt but not one thing shines and elevates it to more than average. With all the talk of Vikings I expected something that would spark my need to pillage, not sit and ponder if the mellow floral notes are more honey or hay. While many applaud balance, I find in this it comes out as flat due to a lack of any distinguishable highlights or true depth. If I wanted balance in my glass I'd have filled it with water. There's citrus and honey, grass, a smoke that seems to come from a grill flavor and not necessarily peat but not artificial like Walker. The sour and other notes of the wood is there but never takes off. The warm grass and flowers provide a first-days-of-spring vibe which I liked but then pepper and earth quickly turn it away. This is my first HP sip and I guess it provides enough reason to try the older expressions but there's nothing more than "good" about this 12. I also fear that there are so many other great bottles in that price range, or even below, that will call my name from the shelf and make me continue to walk past HP's offerings.