Woody and hot I get ethanol burn and deep wood flavors. If I can get past that, I get to malt flavor, then I get fruit (like berries) and finally something herbal like menthol. I don't like this that much. It is very unique, I've never had anything like this, might not have anything like it ever again. but I don't enjoy any of the uniqueness. With all this said, I had this as a barrel pick from total wine. Perhaps this particular barrel was wildly different than the rest of everything else.