Nose: Fruity and fragrant, with honey, vanilla, banana and peaches all apparent. There are also herbal and cereal aromas and, surprisingly, only a moderate oak presence. Palate: The arrival is a whole bowl of fruit salad, toasted muesli, nuts and cream dressed with mellow spices. Quite gentle and delicate and again there is a restrained oak touch. Finish: Medium/long. The palate merges slowly into the aftertaste. The foundation is solid and very fine oak which gives structure and purpose to what might otherwise be an over-sweet dram. The oak presence is a focus, but not an unbalancing one. This whisky is precisely positioned between Asyla and Spice Tree in character - the soft, light and luscious waxy flavours of Asyla and hints of the robust fullness of Spice Tree. I like it and it is good value. It is more expensive than many other blends, but you're getting a premium product intended for sipping. Try tasting some of the mainstream blends after this and you'll immediately see how dull, syrupy and lifeless a lot of them are - even the good ones. Actually the biggest competition against this whisky is Compass Box's own Spice Tree, which is bigger in just about every respect and much the same price, but this maybe has the edge if you prefer a little less spice and more of a cereal personality. "Good" : 84/100 (3.5 stars)