Balvenie has always been one of my favorites. This is one the best--maybe the best--of their expressions that I have so far tried. Nose: It's distinctly grassy. Shortbread cookie, honey, vanilla, and cereal. It's oddly reminiscent of a quality Irish whiskey. Palate: Vanilla, bananas, cream, and toffee. Relatively dry, but not in a bad way. Finish: My favorite part of this whisky. The 48% ABV makes itself evident at this point. It packs a nice punch. The oak is prominent. It's a lengthy finish that transitions from sweet to spicy before it finally fades. Balvenie has done fine work with this one. It's strong across the board. Respectable strength, and as a bonus, it appears to be of natural color. It's a few bucks higher than I'd generally like to pay for a 12 year old, but in this case I think it's fair given the higher ABV and the quality of the juice. Well worth the money.