The nose from this whisky is very sweet and makes for a good after dinner dram. Caramel/Creme Brûlée dominates and meshes well with sweet oaky sherry notes. With some time in the glass, I'm also picking up Piña Coloda/Cola notes. There is surprisingly almost no smoke on the nose. One taste of Highland Park and you get a mix of bright green fruits, warm raisins and mellow heathered smoke. There is a long finish of sweet pipe smoke. I would highly recommend this dram to beginners who want to dip their toe in peat. Definitely one of the most balanced whiskies out there. HP very much reminds me of a slightly smoky Balvenie Doublewood.