Nose: Bright, lavender, and somewhat buttery. Whiff of smoke, like burning fresh wood. Palate: Lots going on. Almost tastes different every time you drink it, but it's comparable to a Speyside whisky. Honey and lavender are at the front with some vague fruitiness. The smoke from the nose shows up on the back end like burning cherry wood. Finish: At first the finish makes a good impression, but it grows old on repeated drinking. It's quite complex, but the dominant notes from the palate taper off into something slightly sour and bitter like flat beer and that's what leaves the lasting impression. Overall: This is the most-sophisticated American Single Malt I've had and I think that's what makes such a strong impression on most people. For that, I give it 4 stars because it's definitely good for an ASM and I'm comparing it within that category. Unfortunately, it can cost $100 or more. If I compare it with other whiskies in that price range, especially scotches, it's more like 3 stars. This doesn't hold a candle to Balvenie 12, for example, which can cost half as much. Over time, I expect this whisky will improve in later editions because the distillation part seems to be going well. I think improvements will come on the barrel management side as the distillate ages and St. George can vat in some more-mature batches.