Nose: OK but not particularly exciting - some fruity, caramel toffee and vanilla notes but it's all rather "distant". There is a definite ethanol note like grain whisky, which is odd as there should be none here. Palate: Sweet and malty with reasonable body to start with - not a bad arrival - but it quickly veers towards bitter and spicy at the back and sides of the tongue and seems to fall apart very rapidly. Not entirely unpleasant, but it feels somewhat juvenile and undisciplined. There are figgy and date notes, and Demerara and barley sugar along for the ride. Reasonable mouthfeel, but lacking in body. This is a more spirit than oak driven whisky. I think there are some tired old casks lurking about in this blend that let the side down. It's enjoyable enough neat, if not spectacular, but in the final analysis it strikes me as "thin" and lacking in character in just about every respect. A very average young malt blend, and as a mixer it is a bit absent and bland. It has pretty obviously been engineered to fill a market niche and I can see it appealing to those who like whisky cocktails but don't like the taste of neat whisky so much. I wouldn't bother buying it again. "Average" : 76/100 (2.5 stars)