Nose: Intense, enveloping sweet honey, vanilla and some wonderful oak aromas. Great complexity in the oak with the various casks being apparent, if not individually identifiable. Like strolling through a sherry bodega. [The dry glass aroma is sweet heather honey and surprisingly reminiscent of Highland Park 18]. Palate: Sweet, rich and fruity. A little touch of spice (allspice, cinnamon), brown sugar, raisins, golden syrup, honey. There is a nice complexity of sweet cider flavours floating over the richer fruit. Finish: Not long, quite short and sweet. This is an immediately appealing whisky with all-pervading honey, caramel and fruit characteristics. Highly drinkable, soothing and completely approachable. This would be a terrific prestige whisky to give that friend who has begun to explore whisky, now finds the usual introductory drams to be a bit simple, and is craving more, but does not have the palate for highly peated or maritime spirits, or for intense sherry finishes. On the other hand it could be overly sweet and cloying for some palates so I’d recommend a trial taste before buying a bottle. It’s the same price as the Balvenie 17 year Doublewood but is a much softer and more caramel-based experience. In terms of quality the two are roughly equivalent, but the profile of the 17 year may be more interesting to the experienced palate. I have to confess to being rather partial to this, so I'm being generous with the score. “Very Good” : 86/100 (4 stars)