Color: Pale champagne silk (Pinot Grigio), white wine, extra light olive oil Nose: Botanical/herbal (gin-like). Light Heather honey. Grainy young smelling. Reminds me of barrel aged gin. Nose doesn't scream 100% malted barley like they state on the box and back of the bottle... Screams grain blend. Disappointing. Palate: Far superior to the nose. Heather honey, vanilla, young slight alcohol burn; hint of milk chocolate. Slight drying (think dark cocoa and the white of an orange peel). Whips of smoke (peat?). Salted caramel and brine. Ever so slight Macadamia nut. Water ruins the experience and makes it flat. Only taste sweet honey and slight smoke after the water. Finish: Very short and drying with cocoa dryness developing. Overall: 70/100 or 2 stars Would you order it: No Would you drink it if offered: If there was no other whisky available, yes otherwise no. Would you recommend it: No Better stuff at the $69 price point. Everyone's trying to ride the Yamazaki and Hibiki success wave for profit.