3.5 Stars - Very good; 100 ml sample and 750 ml bottle This is very close to being spectacular. Like the best blends, you can taste the individual components, yet everything works well in combination. Depending on the day, I either get more of the Speyside influence of sweetness (raisins, dates), Highlands dried fruit (apples, pear), island smokey peat, highly aged grain alcohol (similar to CB Hedonism), or a long kiss of oak. This far exceeds the commonly available 18 year olds (Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Glenmorangie) in both taste and value. So why is this not in my spectacular range? I generally am not an ABV snob, but this desperately needs to be 43% or 46%. This whiskey whispers when it should proclaim. Tasting this side-by-side with JW Green… and Green is still the clear winner. Nikka WFTB is similar in taste and price, but also does it better.