Maybe I'm rating this lower than it deserves because it was really hyped up for me but falls short. To me this is a classic, or the classic, Japanese whisky. It's balanced, touching on many notes and not harsh. But what it has in this, it lacks in depth of flavor. They are there, just too many notes treading on toes. Sherry, wood, fruits, spice, sweet - its too much. Good at everything but great at nothing. Exceptionally long finish.