The smell coming off this is rich and complex. There's first a hint of fruit, like being in a farmers market in summer, then there's the rich smell of hand made chewy caramels with walnuts. Over a bit of time, the aroma opens up more, offering raisins, and figs. There is a green wood smell, like splitting fresh cut logs that haven't been seasoned. First impression, caramel, burnt brown sugar, orange zest, and a nice warming sensation. It's not overly sweet. There's a richness akin to Amontillado, or some other medium sweet sherry. Even sipping this, I go back to the nose, it is magical. There is a fruit juice quality to this that I've only gotten from Irish whiskey, and some Speyside Scotches before. The oak tannins give a pleasant bitterness, and impart a vanilla, and toasted oak depth. The finish is like the cracked top of crème brulee, charred sugar, and caramel. At the end, just after swallowing, there is a taste of a perfectly ripe banana. This one doesn't have overwhelming notes of baking spices, there is some allspice, and ginger. I read one review that said this was the "single malt of rums", I have to agree, it's not about the strong molasses notes, or throwing the spice cupboard at you. This is balanced, there's lots of fruit, there's oak, and there's even some malt. As someone coming to rum from whisky, this is so familiar, yet refreshingly different too. If it were slightly higher proof, this would be damn near perfect. 95/100