I'm not sure about the Distiller's review as I do not get any of the notes Blair has expressed. I get a full bouquet of dark fruit and dried fruit. The wine casks that it was finished in come through on the finish with some spiciness and grape jelly. At $35/bottle here in Ontario I figured this would be, at best, a good mixer. What a fantastic surprise to uncover a new Canadian sipper (I'll mix it with something eventually but it's really not necessary). Red wine and whisky, nothing but good stuff!