This is a good go to single malt. It is not the most complex or sophisticated but the modest price tag and generous flavor is enough to satisfy any casual single malt aficionado.  

The color is light golden and a touch of water (just a touch, you don't want to drown it) will create a  psychedelic golden paisley pattern in your Glencairn nosing glass (assuming you are nerdy enough to have one). 

The nose is floral and fruity and opens up a bit as you let it sit. I was unable to detect any hint of smokiness or peat but the slightest smell of oak is present. 

The malt is immediately smooth on the palette. It hits the tongue on the back. Hold it in there and let it swirl around a bit before you swallow and it creates the most amazing warming sensation. With a dash of water it opens up a little more intensifying a vanilla note and fresh apples. 

It may be the fact that I am visiting my wife's family in the Pacific Northwest, the temperature is cold and they bought me a bottle of this dram for the week and nobody up here drinks the the aqua vita so it's basically up to me drink the bottle in the span of a week, but I am particularly enjoying this malt right now. 

I am a peat head when it comes to scotch, and this definitely does not fit in that category. But I would recommend this malt for anyone that has gotten into single malts and wants to start trying more complex malts. I am going to give this an 83/100 for being the right price and a generally good go to malt.

Macallan 15 year: Speyside triple cask matured in ex-sherry and bourbon.
 
nose is oaky and with a little bit of smoke. You can definitely tell from the nose that this spent 15 years in an oak cask. The oak brings with it that thick maple syrup/molasses smell.  It has a sweet characteristic.

The malt is a little underwhelming on the palette. It tastes a bit thin. Whereas I would usually add a little water to a malt this age bottled above 40 % (43% to be exact) I am afraid to add any to this for fear of washing it out.  There is a hint of smokiness on the back of the tongue. The finish is a little acrid/sharp and short. All in all not very impressed and I would recommend several cheaper malts with less years in the barrel but have more character before spending the bills on this one.

I don't think I can rate this more than 80/100 and that may be generous.