The look here is reddish gold, a look not quite quite red enough for likening to a new copper penny. The nose on this is pretty solid. My fresh pour definitely made its presence known in my room. The scent is a blend of cut apple (right when oxygenation kicks in), with hints of semi-sweet caramel and baking spices and bitter chocolate. It’s chocolate and apples on the palate, with a mouthfeel that is medium bodied and somewhat astringent, while maintaining some creaminess.. The nose doesn’t lie on this release but there is a touch more bitterness (think that copper penny again) that reveals itself in the strangest places. First time I encountered it, it flared up in the middle palate, other times it seemed like it was lurking in the finish. As I had just opened it, it might have been “opening night jitters” as with follow-up tastes the bitterness has mellowed to semi-sweet creamy chocolate. The finish on this release is longer than I expected. It turns peppery/spicy at the end and holds your attention longer than an 80-proof whisky should. Some water evens this release out and gets the bitter aspect under control. Breaking it gets this Deveron to dark chocolate/milk shake territory but with the relatively low proof there is a price you pay as you reduce the alcohol in this release a little further. It’s not a complex release, but it does have its charms. I can see why this is a core component of blends. It’s got the flexibility you’d want when making a whisky. Sweetness, spice, etc. It would have been nice to see this at a slightly higher proof.