Recommended to me as the best affordable blended scotch for cocktails. Price is certainly great, but this was kind of a bummer. Nose: Sweet fruit, sharp alcohol Palate: SWEET. Slick. Toffee. Butterscotch. Somewhat fruity. Not enough smoke or character. Finish: Sweet (still); some spices and alcohol, but only whisps of smoke. Verdict: Sugar bomb. Not enough spice or smoke. Monkey Shoulder is a better buy. $15 was clearance. I think bottles that are less than 2x the cost deliver far more than 2x the experience. I want to like this so bad. Might be OK in cocktails.