Oaky, tannic bitterness at the end of the palate ruins the otherwise pleasantly plain 8yr dewars base. The mizu influence is very minimal, although it does have a touch (more sweet mango and allspice than sandalwood, but barely there it is) It's very buttery and that with the honey in dewars base redeems it a little. Would rather grab 12yr for the same price, paid $24.99 but will still probably skip this again, just nothing going on here. I recently learned Chivas mizu is discontinued, so that is sad as I have grown rather fond of it. This couldn't even carry those shoes, much less fill them, but is $25 cheaper.