Charred oak hits first, followed by a touch of sweetness though not as much as some other whiskies. It's not smoky or peaty though. I don't get any vanilla either, which is often associated with Irish whiskies. I'm not a bourbon drinker but there's another distinct flavour note that I think is due to the aging in bourbon barrels. It's not my favourite Irish whiskey but it's not bad for the price.