The journey of this Scotch begins with fruity and sweet, custard-style aromas. The palate is smooth, warm that begins with vanilla and citrus followed by spices and salt. Cherries are a common theme that re-emerge in the finish alongside an aftertaste of a spiced loaf. There may be some smoke that lingers in the back of your mouth, but it's very subtle and not comparable to any Islay whiskies. I am aware that there's an ongoing debate on personal preferences, subjectivity, and where one stands with the likes of Macallan. I'll admit that even I am rather skeptical when I stare at their tapered bottles and flashy labels, but I did my best to remain open-minded on this review. Overall, this 12 Year Old Double Cask is an easy sipper. There is no burning sensation - likely because we get the 40% ABV bottles here in Canada. If it was taken up a few percentages, I think the flavours would be more pronounced and my rating for this whisky might be a little higher. From a price point though, unless you enjoy splurging on the brand, I think there are better Scotch options out there. NOSE: Cherry, plum, vanilla, butterscotch, toffee PALATE: Vanilla, citrus, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg FINISH: Cherries, spiced loaf, light smoke, vanilla Rating: 82/100 Grade: B- Not-too-bad – no major flaws, worth tasting.