Dark amber hue. The opening aroma is pronounced, sassy, peppery and peaty; aeration stimulates added scents of Sherry, smoke, tobacco leaf and sweet malt. On the palate, a sweet, oaky richness is evident immediately; by midpalate, well-endowed flavors of vanilla cream, caramel and Sherry overwhelm the taste buds. The endless aftertaste is round, smoky and toffee-like. A Balvenie benchmark..Wine EnthusiastRated 89Deep orange-amber hue. Markedly rich aromas show a licorice-like note. Heavily wood influenced, with a deep smoky accent. Mouthfeel is viscous and rich with a powerful oak accent and well-spiced finish. A rich after-dinner style. tastings.com86 Proof