Nose: Earthy vegetal tones, tar and ashy smoke, followed by some pleasant vanilla, cinnamon, green apple, milk chocolate. Salty cheese. Taste: Super peppery, sour orange, baking chocolate, vanilla. That iodine kicks in throughout but shows up most during mid-palate. Finish: Minty freshness pairs well with the omnipresent smoke. Salty, like beef jerky. Also get a coffee malt vibe along with a strong dose of cinnamon. Overall: Awesome. It’s a classic. One of the first Scotches I tried, but one that took a long time to appreciate fully. It feels like the Ric Flair of whiskey...it’s disguised as sophisticated, but kinda crazy. A hero and a heel. It’s damn close to perfect. And sometimes I can find it for less than $90 at Costco...which is nice.