Very clear with a slight brown tint. Yes, sweeter whisky smell. A surprisingly sweeter initial flavor. Not bad on the whisky. Somehow, unlike many whisky brews, the whisky in this complements the beer. Its a blond and you know its a blond. This beer really hides the alky contnent well. Easy going for a 10%. Much better than expected. Quite quaffable and that could be dangerous considering the ABV.