Nose: Dried fruits, ginger, orange concentrate, fragrant wood (cedar, sandalwood) and distant floral supporting aromas. An elegant oak background edged with the faintest oily-smoke, vanilla and hazelnut chocolate. Palate: A sweet but sophisticated oak and cereal arrival, with just a little sparkling spice around the edges. Almost instantly it starts to develop sweetness of many dimensions - malty, cereal, vanilla and caramel. The texture has a most enjoyable oiliness in the arrival, but then turns dry and slightly austere in the finish with hints of oak. The palate seems to expand and fill the senses. There is also a light and complex spicy note of cloves and cinnamon. Finish: Medium. The development seamlessly segues into the finish, which echoes away on waves of delicate spicy sweetness. The nose is like a friendly and fruity young Springbank, and the palate like a malty highlander, but it is sweeter than either and somewhat reminiscent of a gently spicy bourbon. A good whisky, and one of those rare ones that is both a "whisky-drinker's whisky" but still approachable for a novice. Well recommended and I agree completely with the official distiller summary, but I wouldn't rate it quite as high. It's also fair value, even though the bottle is only 500ml. "Good" : 84/100 (3.75 stars)