Color: copper gold...moderate legs at 43% ABV...bulbous top clear bottle is said to mimic their stills...Bottle also has a compass star imprint on the bottom...a nice visual touch. Nose: nice lemony citrus, vanilla, fresh and spices on the nose...very pleasant! Palate: strong on first sip, then mellows ...fairly interesting...it does have a nice creamy feel. I get soft honey, some very slight oak char bitter, a nut or nutmeg spice, vanilla, and a faint smokey note. That's quite a lot for a 12 yr old expression that only cost me $39 ! Finish: Nice warming medium length finish, and yup I do get the light salty tang at the end... This bourbon cask matured Coastal Highlander has a lot going for it...3.9.a keeper in my lineup!