The initial aroma and palate tread down the same road that Compass Box has paved with both the Great King St. Glasgow Blend and the Artist's Blend. It's a round, waxy, and floral-honeyed character reminding me of orange tree blossoms. (My mind races towards the oft-cited Clynelish influence - but according to the blend notes, there's none here.) This one also layers in the red wine cask influences that lend themselves to coloring the palate, but making themselves felt more so in the finish with a zest that almost recalls the effervescence of soda pop. This, like the Great King St. twins, is a finely rounded, balanced and well designed blend meant to please and not challenge. (But it's certainly an upgrade from most Johnnie Walker or Dewar expressions.) What more can I write [?] as this bottle has no obvious faults. I'd rate this 4 stars, but the VFM is not there. The Great King St. Artist's Blend - although peated - is as pleasing, but priced $25 less. As a fan of peated expressions, I'm not sure the price bump is called for. And so, I'll dock it a quarter point. Still, this is a very good blended scotch, worth a taste, and maybe even another purchase. Whether it deserves a spot in your liquor cabinet, well, I'll leave that up to you.