Unadulterated by filtering, added sugar or color, this exquisite brown liquid is maple syrup in tincture. Seen under kitchen lights, a stream of barrel and/or cork particles scintillate within the bottle. That's very heartening as it reminds me of the unfiltered state of a Glendronach scotch - while - at the same time, far removed from the cloudy louche of a finished Belle Meade bourbon. The nose surprisingly resembles a very sweet bourbon, layered with unripe banana peel notes, eventually seguing into honey and brown sugar. After a sip or two, a burnt sugar note arises along with a charcoal backing. The palate is as @Cornmuse reviewed (thank you for your dead-on notes) is, "banana, nougat, coconut" and brown sugar, before a bourbon-like mouthfeel takes over. The finish of "bitter coffee bean" is right on as well, together with slightly green banana. At this point, I confess - unsweetend aged rums don't jibe with me (and I don't really intend to change that). Still, I recognize the workmanship, the degree of maturation, and the quality behind the make up of this distillate. Rum aficionados should find this expression a worthy addition to any liquor cabinet.