Nose is heavy with almonds, tannins, grape juice, raspberry. Body is butter, red wine. Grainy feel, which when combined with the sweetness it reminds me a bit of a Speyside. Also super dry! The trademark sweetness from Basil Hayden’s is still there, but it is somehow present for the flavor and absent for the mouth feel. It’s strange. It’s not great. Finish really hammers the almond note. I get sangria. I get cherry cough syrup. For the record: I hate Basil Hayden’s with a passion. This is not great, but it’s also a pretty big improvement. So… I’d never buy this again, as there are much better red wine finishes out there in this mid-shelf price range (Hotel Tango, Jefferson’s). But given the choice between this and regular Basil Hayden’s, this one wins all day, and I am genuinely impressed with what they pulled off here. This one is drinkable. Happy New Years!!!