The nose is raisins and toffee. On the palate: sherry notes balanced by honey - and also the oak, coming across as shortbread. The shortbread continues very briefly on the mid-palate, before the finish when the oak gets slightly bitter. The baking spices then make an understated appearance. The spice does intensify into a warming sensation if you quaff away back to back sips. But it's mellow and held back by the low 40% ABV. Like all good ex-sherry casked whiskies, this makes for a great cold weather drink, but it can be perfectly agreeable during the warmer months as well. The Redbreast 12 is a standard among sherried whiskies. With a friendlier palate than another standard, the Macallan 12 Sherry Oak, this is a reliable dram for a movie or happy hour event. It's a whiskey that doesn't take you on much of a journey. You don't have to spend a lot of time picking at it's nuances. It's good and simple. My Rating Glossary: Two Stars: "I'd rather be drinking lite beer." Two 1/2 Stars: "Posh rubbish." Three Stars: "I love whisk(e)y. This is average love." Three 1/2 Stars: "May buy again." Four Stars: "I've got to get you into my life." Four 1/2 Stars: "Better than drugs." Five Stars: "Life is good. Whisky makes it better."