Lovely nose of ripe fruit (banana, apple, pear), vanilla, and a bit of spice. On the tongue there is an initial sweetness and the taste of ripe fruit, malt, again the vanilla and oak spice. As you hold and savor the flavors of the dram an astringency develops---not in a bad way---just enough to invite another sip. I prefer this to the standard Chivas 12, but do think it tends to be over priced, at least so in my area.