Nose is dried apricots, marmalade and vanilla. Is there a hint of smoke like normal Black label?…may be but it is very distant. The taste is round with a touch buttery malt followed by sweet fruits – Apricots and orange riding on vanilla and a touch of oak. Smoke is more present on the palate than the nose but this is not a smoky as the standard Black Label. The finish is noticeably smoother than standard Black label – the base grain is much higher quality and in some respects this is a better scotch but is also a little less exciting as well. It’s more impressive in some respects on the rocks and I’d be happy to drink this way if I was out at a bar…I’m guessing it would be a great mixer. So an interesting new release but not earth shattering. Its score is similar to standard Black Label - 3 stars or 88.