Herbs, grass, nuts, caramel, spice meet my tongue, accompanied with a bitter dryness and a toasty sweetness. American and European oak work well, one adding cream, another adding rye, both adding spice. Austere, subtly charming, if not a bit weak, the whisky lacks that seductive character punch that Johnnie Walker Black Label has to offer, maybe something I'd recommend for a Speyside/ Highland fan.