Yes, this was made to be a mixer. I have tried it straight (awful), mixed with coke (gross), and other various ways. The only way I "like" it is 1 dram with 8-12oz of seltzer water. For some reason this tastes more smokey than the Black to me, other friends have said the opposite. Not much else going on, no sweetness on the taste (little nose), some uncharred oak, and smoke. That's it. I'd rather have a bottle of Clan McGregor as a mixer. FYI: This was a Christmas exchange gift.