This is Nikka's now NAS version of Suntory's Haukushu 12. They are in many ways almost identical. Nose are both subtle smoke, although this is more of a light Island smoke Highland park, Talisker style smoke where as the Haukushu is more sweet highland style smoke. It also becomes less noticeable with subsequent sips. Nosing also finds honey, wildflowers, stone fruits, light hint of apple, this departs a bit in that it adds some darker stewed almost sherry notes of fig and raisin. The oak is a sweet almost raw wood note not a charred or tannic one. Palate is fruit and honey sweet with the smoke only at the center, a surprising amount of clove, and pepper spice again almost a Talisker red chilli direction. The oak is more present on the palate but not overwhelming and brings the stewed raisin and fig with it. Finish brings back the smoke enveloped in the lingering sweetness. The spice hangs around well into the finish. Also the wood figures more prominently on the finish and is a bit more tannic and drying. Over all a very good whisky I personally think the Haikushu 12 is the better, softer, more subtle drinker but with the price going from $90-109 to $129-149 this is a very very good and close substitute at the old price point all be it without the 12 year or any age statement above an understood 3 years and a day in the Scottish tradition which gave birth to Nikka.