Nose: Sherry notes are very dominant. Has sweet (honey) and butter cookie notes in the background which I found noticeable in the 12 year. Taste: Sherry once again dominates from entry to finish. Salty and bitter notes are found in the background. Some notes of cherry and other stone fruit. The sherry influence is readily apparent as it dominates the whisky, though I would not put it in the sherry bomb category. It seems to be missing the balance of sweet and savory notes that the 12 year has. Overall, enjoyable but I much prefer the 12 year.