A bit of caramel on the nose. Nice and malty, creamy on the palate. A whiff of smoke, but not particularly smokey. Sweet, nutty malt that evolves into caramel. Very salty, in the best possible way, the maritime character is readily apparent. I don't know how I missed this gem for all these years, this has quickly become one of my all time favorites, and it's a bargain too!! This will always have a place on my shelf. You will struggle to find a better scotch in this price range. You might even struggle to find a better scotch for under $75.