Of the non-scotch single malts I’ve had, this is the closest to actual scotch… if you put this in a lineup alongside four scotches, I’m not sure I’d be able to say this was the “non-scotch” among them. It lives in the Speyside/Highland realm for me. The barley is very crisp on the nose with underlying full bodied fruits (not meaning super fruity) and a hint of peat, but not smoky at all. This translates entirely to the palate but with the addition of leather that then turns woody on the finish. I get more of the red burgundy barrel influence than the sherry; I’ll admit I don’t know enough about Sauternes to be able to pick it out. All in all a beautiful bottle, great for fall weather.