Visual: Medium amber color much like pale ale. Not particularly leggy on the sides of the glass. Nose: No heat. Very aromatic – and much like the color, the nose is not unlike pale ale. Lots of fruit esters like banana, and peach, and a suggestion of honey, much like a honeyed ale that I homebrewed many years ago. Palate: Sweet honey at the outset, with copious cereal grain on the mid-palate. Some vanilla and oak soon join, along with a bit of a flavor akin to the smell of wet asphalt. Finish: The medium length finish has a bit of spice (allspice, clove) and oak, likely from the ex-bourbon cask finish. Not too bitter, not too sweet. Empty glass: Toffee and pecans. As Irish whiskies go, thus far in my limited experience with the style, Bushmill’s 21-year is my favorite. While this does not approach the quality of that dram, it is better than some I have had. The smoothness and drinkability is appropriate for its low ABV, and the nose is very pleasing. I’m giving it 4 stars.