It is a light nose, almost bourbon-y with vanilla and honey, and some malt in the background - some what damp and a little rubbery somehow. Water brings out some caramel, which adds to the bourbon comparison. But the taste is definitely deeper than the nose - you can taste those 18 years in the oak, it's very rich. Again, it is reminiscent of bourbon with vanilla, yet still very clean (again, that sharp triple distillation).