Looks promising.

https://shoot-on.com/tested-taurus-executive-grade-856-revolver-perfection/

Surprised they didn't make it in .357.  

On plus side this looks to be first Taurus they didn't put a huge logo or silly moniker on.

I had a flat black hammerless 856 two inch that I bought at a gun show, new, for $220, pre-covid. I did replace the trigger return spring with a lighter one.  at 25 yards you could terrorize clay pigeons and sometimes hit one. good enough. everyone wanted to shoot it.  put a steel clip on it with tape and carried it iwb until a good friend needed a shooter. he`s not a gun guy, so I sold it to him.  it`s never misfired.  replace my Shield, no, but a pretty good option.

$689 for a 856 executive?
don`t think so.

Lol nope. Don't care how good they review it. I guarantee it's gonna be a wet turd.

considering I love my 2" 856 I will be looking for a sale. I am quite happy with the one I have.

never having bought anything by Taurus until last summer I have nothing but good things to say about them. I understand they've had problems in the past but, whatever they were I can find no remnants of them in the two I have.

This.

Make it a regular DA/SA 3" magnum, and I'll at least look at it.

They're making 3" 605s now I think

Yes, the 605 Defender has a 3” barrel.

Handled one of these at NRAAM. Felt very nice and had a pretty good trigger. Wish the front sight were something other than a plain black blade, but you can change it.

Caleb giddings has a review of it on YouTube as well, if you’re interested.

Two summers ago[???] I purchased this Taurus 856 Defender, 3".  $305.00 with the night sight
The DA was a disgraceful 12 lbs, and the SA was gritty.
Took it apart, polished all the mating surfaces, installed a Galloway spring kit, and lubed it with TR25.
Over 1500 trouble free rounds, and zero misfires from the spring kit.
DA is just under 8, and buttery smooth.  SA is a crisp 4.5.
It carries well appendix in a holster I had made for it, and accuracy is acceptable for a 3 inch gun.
With the gun, spring kit, grips and holster, I'm still under 425.00, and it's a helluva more accurate than my 642 ever was.  Fact is, I sold the 642 because I like this so much better.