This is a quite a different breed than what you normally think of Japanese whiskey. It's still has the well made craftmanship as you would expect, but it's a totally different profile than a Yamazaki, Hibiki, or Yoichi. First of, it's not malt, but grain ( like Teeling single grain). It's also made in in a Coffey still (long slender distills than typical pots). Those two factors make this a cat of a different color than any Irish, American, Indian or other whiskeys. The nose is almost missing any profile altogether...faint vanilla if anything. The taste is sweet...not American bourbon sweet, but French Sauternes was what first came to mind. Not as sticky sweet though, more like a thin film texture sweet. Finish is quick and cinnamon-y. I'd recommend this with an ice cube or two---taste much better chilled and over ice. If you were going to try grain, if recommend a Compass Box one like Hedonism over this, but this definitely over the Teeling single grain. Not bad for $36 ( Total Wine in NJ)