Quite often, one note might overwhelm the rest in a Scotch —maybe it’s unusually oaky, or spicy, or peaty. What intrigues me about this one is that all the component flavors are in perfect equilibrium: it has oak and brine and cereal and barley sugar, but none of these flavors overwhelm the others, all is in beautiful balance with a touch of cocoa smoke. There’s a good bit of heat, but adding 6 drops of water to a 1.5 ounce pour was enough to remove the heat and open up the flavors and aromas. Wonderfully long finish. Delicious.