This thread turned out pretty well. I learned things along the way - like the cloying quality is the caramel coloring. It's made me more sensitive to caramel in general. I'll be looking increase my intake of uncolored malts. I also learned that the decent heart of this malt is Mannochmore - which I found tasty and enjoyable - even having a bit of that coffee like taste without the nasty stains and caramel cold-sweet ickiness. In the end, I'm convinced it's a gimmick, a nasty trick (the price is jacked up for all that caramel and makes it a poor value) - and probably a waste of otherwise decent malt. A note on the value comment: Loch Dhu is $30 in New York in Spring of 98. That kind of green will buy all kinds of killer malts. I'll keep my bottle as a conversation piece and that's all. Taste is subjective - so good drinking, Jay - just keep that toothbrush handy!