first nose, very alcoholy. first sip has wave of sweetness up front, a bit spicy in the throat - a burn from the alcohol. it's not a super smooth whiskey. on further drinking, i feel like i can taste the cask, a bit of charred oak taste. not my favorite, but granted - it is a young whiskey, probably around 3 or so year old. but it is pretty drinkable, just not so complex and smooth as an aged whiskey or other finer japanese whiskeys.