Picked this up on a whim at a shop two towns over, mostly because I liked the label. That's not usually how I choose bottles, but it worked out.
Nose
Brown sugar first, then a good hit of clove and something almost like pipe tobacco. No harsh alcohol burn even at cask strength, which is a good early sign.
Palate
This is where it earns its price. Caramel and dark cherry up front, moving into oak and black pepper on the mid-palate. There's a real backbone here — it doesn't fall apart the way a lot of "small batch" releases do once you get past the first sip.
Finish
Long, warm, a little dry. Leaves you with cinnamon and leather. This is a sit-by-the-fire pour, not a mixing pour.
Verdict
Worth the money if you can find it near retail. At double the price it'd be a harder sell, but this one delivers.
Rating: Buy it again.