So, this Solera vat thing is when they take 15 year old whisky and mix it in a vat that is always at least half full containing previous whisky that is 15+ years old. All types of casks end up being in the mix. This is sort of like the idea of "perpetual soup" that I tried for a few months in grad school when I kept leftover soup going and cooked new soup in the old soup. It was interesting at first, but then the flavors became muddled. The problem with this whisky is it is colored, chill-filtered, and 40% ABV. It is fragile, and does not do well with oxidation. When I opened my bottle, the first notes were like a fruit basket mixed with nuts and spices. Apples and pears were the most present, but you could search for a multitude of different fresh fruits in the aroma layers. Subsequent drams became increasingly stale. I am down to my last few ounces 6 months later and on the nose there is vanilla, apple, pear, and oak. Vanilla sweetness is the first note on the palate, and there is a quick transition to muddled fruits. The mouthfeel is too watery. Proponents can describe the flavor as pleasant and harmonious, but I describe it as dilute and without direction. The finish is a bland vanilla and apple cider now; whereas the fresh bottle had a wonderful spicy finish. Solera vat may have been much better at cask strength, or at least 46% ABV and non chill-filtered. I don't care about the color. As it is, the whisky does poorly with time. The individual notes deteriorated quickly in the bottle. Had I reviewed this after my first 2 or 3 drams, it would have been 4 stars and worth the 70 USD I paid. Now, I say I would not spend more than 40 USD for this. 79/100.