Nose: The incense quality of mizunara oak is immediate and defines the nose. There are supporting hints of orchard fruits (apples, pears, peaches, apricots), vanilla and almond but soft aromatic oak dominates everything else. Palate: The arrival is light and soft with a generally fruity profile. It develops a little very gentle ginger and cinnamon spice and some malt as it unfolds. A light honey note is detectable as well. It's a sweet, smooth palate but a little too shy. Finish: Very, very short. Light, crisp and fleeting with a little hint of very mild tannin and anise right at the end. The nose is very pleasant, but as described above rather one-note. There are malty depths below the oak, and it's impossible to hate, but that sandalwood/cedar aroma keeps leaping forward. The palate is also a little disappointing and there's almost no finish at all. It's a real pity it was released at only 40%. Chivas Regal consistently disappoint me and once again they have sunk to the occasion. There is the gleam of a really good blend here but they have been mean with the quantity and quality of the malt component, stingy with the strength, and the precious mizunara casks have been used as little more than top-dressing. It's absurdly expensive for what it is and it does not represent value for money, considering all the excellent single malts that are in the same price bracket, and the many superior blends that are even cheaper. "Average" : 75/100 (2.5 stars)