Neat. Samples - specifically two 104.6 proofs. I do not like the bottle I bought, which is 84.4 proof. I admit, sipping on it tonight, it is not the completely awful but it still stinks. It’s proofed down too much. Now having these two samples, wow. The proof makes the difference. If you are interested in this bottle, the proof makes a giant difference. My first impression on the 84.4 proof was like 1.5 stars. You see the new score above. I’ll give some notes from the better of the two samples below. On the nose, Medicinal cherry but also dark maraschino cherry is really delightful. There is chocolate and white cream here too, creating a cherry cordial. The oak on this is so sweet and inviting. There are also layers of caramel and butterscotch. Bit of black pepper. There is also this fried dough, I would even go as far as a glazed donut. For 15 years old, this is not oaky. It’s sweet and layers of dessert. Mouth feel is oily but thin. Cherry and chocolate assault the tongue immediately. Apple too. Chocolate really carries through from front to finish. Bright cherry and apple again. Lots of vanilla. Finish is apple and vanilla. Kind of confusing for a 15 year. There is a deep bass like note, dark chocolate the more I sip it. The closest thing I can attribute coming from the age. The nose was more dynamic than the taste and finish but the overall experience is delightful. This is worth the $55-$65 dollars if you find a higher proof bottle. I don’t understand the purpose of the different proof levels, feels like they are shooting them selves in the foot leaving it up to chance on what bottle the purchaser finds. I would have given up on this entirely if not for generous friends.