Nose: Red fruits; smoked cherry and a little plum. A surprising touch of lavender and honey. Palate: Smoked cherries become stronger, along with a general sweetness like clover honey. The proof makes it all quite robust and not as delicate as it may sound. Finish: Like many blends, the grain whiskey comes in strongest on the finish. Slightly bitter, but with a nice vanilla creaminess that wasn't present on the nose or the first part of the palate. It leaves the impression of a bold cherry cream soda that someone put a few drops of liquid smoke into. General: This has all of the things that are good about the Glasgow blend, but turned up a notch. It's such a pleasing combination of smoky, fruity, and creamy that I do think you could drink it any way you like, as it says on the label. Water just brings out more creaminess and I think it would hold up OK to an ice cube. It would make a solid contribution to any cocktail you put it in. The only reason I didn't give this whisky 5 stars is because, though it's a solid daily drinker, the proof and boldness wear a little thin if you do drink it regularly. It doesn't have the complexity of a 5-star whisky, but it's good for the price.