I may have underestimated this the first time I had a dram. My initial impression was that it was good (very good, even), but too woody for my taste. Suffice it to say that ship has sailed; it looks my local bar is a bit into a new bottle, so I wonder if my previous experience was impacted by over oxygenation in its predecessor. Regardless, I was shocked to be able to smell the dram from feet away - the Old Pulteney ripe fruit explodes out of the glass. When you get a bit closer in, there are notes of wood spice, plummy dark fruit, nuts, and dark chocolate to be found. On the palate, this is the 12 year's slightly more sophisticated older sibling - the elements present on the nose all integrate perfectly into a rich mouthful of whisky, almost choral harmony of fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, spice, citrus peel, dark chocolate, and vanilla-inflected salted caramel. Its oily mouthfeel coats and lingers. I'm glad I gave this a second look; the price point keeps it from becoming a daily drinker (the 12 can maintain that honor), but as a treat...you betcha.