So I may not be the best person to rate this as I seem to avert malted whiskies for the most part. I will give it a try and tell you how I see it. Here we go (sigh). The nose is earthy. I do get chocolate but it seems like chocolate rolled in dirt. There is a dankness to the nose. The palate is best described as if I were eating clay and I am definately NOT a fan of clay! Then the sweetness came in. But not a nice even sweetness. This was as if a chocolate granola bar got dipped in rubbing alcohol and then rolled around in dirt......and I was now drinking it! I have had other malted whiskies and found them enjoyable. This one though......not a fan.