The nose you get with any Elijah Craig bourbon, but particularly Elijah Craig Barrel Proof may be the sweetest, most pleasant in the bourbon world. The taste on the tongue doesn't quite live up to the nose, but it's very good. I get vanilla and brown sugar, with oak and char showing up in a big way. It finishes with leather and bitter sweetness. It's a long, warm finish too, but I wouldn't expect anything less from a barrel proof. This is an excellent bourbon, but it's not my favorite flavor profile. There are a few other barrel proofs that are more to my tastes.