This is for the Boutique-y Whisky Company Bladnoch 26 yr old. So the first time I had this, I didn't like it much. I had it while pouring out samples for round 4 as part of our tasting team. I thought it tasted bitter and too farmy, not what I'd expect from a Lowlander. But then I heeded Paul's advice below and gave it a second chance. It not only helped airing it out, but the reduced amount in the bottle probably already started some oxidation. A hidden little gem; I've had products from That Boutique-y Whisky Company before, and generally found them well made, but never even heard of Bladnoch. Sounds like something the cat threw up. Fortunately taste much better. Tropical fruits, sort of like a well aged Irish single malt. Coyingling simple in being fruit forward, but loaded with fruits...mangoes, passion fruit, coconut. All sorts of exotic fruits. Finish is short, but you get an interesting pink peppercorn taste---slightly spicy, but not as much as black pepper, and not as grassy as green peppercorns...more floral spicy. I got it for about $150 for 500ml...so that translates to $225 for a regular bottle. Personally I'd much rather pay for a smaller bottle at a lower equivalent price, just because I can't finish a full bottle. I'd rather not spend the extra $75 then waste it in totality. So was it worth it? For me...yes, given a lower price and a smaller bottle.