Nose: a little sharp with ethanol/fuminess off the cuff but will subside some if you let it sit. A few drops of water helps it out as well. Apple, honey, cereal grains, slight herbal note, oak, others have suggested sandalwood and I can see that, hint of vanilla and cherry perhaps. Palate: better than the nose, light sweetness, apple, honey, barrel spices, black pepper, woody oak, a little smokiness, a nice herbal quality on the finish. Solid, but not a great Japanese whiskey, imo. However, some may really like this as it is just different enough from what you would get from a scotch.