Nose: Vanilla, coconut, soft fruit (peaches, apricots), and brown sugar. There's an elusive fragrant wood note overlaying everything, but it's more like cedarwood or sandalwood than oak. Palate: An arrival that is uncommonly silken, smooth, luscious and sensual. As it evolves flavours of crème brûlée, white marshmallows and coconut pudding emerge, balanced by a candied cereal and warm cinnamon and ginger spice note. Finish: Medium/long. Vanilla and cream with some spiced cereal in the aftertaste. A very seductive and, yes, hedonistic whisky that is one of the stars of the Compass Box core range. Together with Spice Tree and Peat Monster it defines John Glaser's goal for his brand and the concept of an artisan blend. The recipe changes depending on what is available but it rarely comprises more than four grain whiskies, all of very high quality. You could almost call this "essence of top-class oak in a solution of premium whisky". ADDENDUM - One year later and I'm just finishing off the bottle I opened for this review. It has oxidized with considerable grace and there is greater heavy mellowness now than when it was first opened but the whisky still has that characteristic Compass Box freshness. It's a good grain whisky blend, but the official score seems a bit inflated to me. "Good" : 85/100 (3.75 stars)