Vanilla notes, pleasant nose, easy drinking at 43%, little alcohol burn, I added a teaspoon of water. The finish was malty and was the best part for me. I would take this over similarly priced Glenmorangie 10 and Aberlour 12. The marketing seems geared towards a North American audience, with so much emphasis on the bourbon cask factor. Trust me, this tastes like scotch. I've never tasted Glenfiddich 12 so I can't compare the two.