Nose - baked apple, raisin, fig, plum, sweet peat, brine, honey, pear, ash, vanilla, molasses, brown sugar, dry herbal notes, nutmeg, orange zest, tobacco, cherry, black pepper, smoked meat, chocolate, deep oak, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - sweet peat, salt cured meat, honey, creamy vanilla, baked apple, orange and lemon zest, raisin, plum, pear, black cherry, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, sweet oak, dark chocolate, black pepper, leather, tobacco, ginger, brown sugar, chocolate chip cookie, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium long with sweet peat, dark fruit, black pepper, and salted smoked meat flavors. This is very well blended. The smoky, meaty, briny attributes are balanced nicely with sherried fruit, baking spices, and chocolate notes. The youthfulness is present, but it’s not overly bright or harsh. Interestingly, I’m left with a numb sensation in my mouth after the finish completes. I’m not sure if it’s just me today, or whether there’s something in the blend encouraging that. It’s not unpleasant, but worth noting. This isn’t fantastic, but I like it more than the Artist’s Blend. There’s some slight bitterness in the finish, but I don’t find it as off putting as with its counterpart. I wouldn’t stock this as a sipper, but would have no problem sipping this if it was presented to me. For the price, this is a solid option.