This is an interesting scotch. Without water, the nose is a bit closed. Fruity, like pears, sweet, spicy, and tobacco. With a drop of water, it opens up, and becomes more intelligible. Tart apples, light smoke, honeysuckle, vanilla, cereal grains, and some savory spices layered on top, like basil or tarragon. The palate is similar, but with dark cocoa, and more barley notes. The nose is better than the palate, for me, but both are excellent.