I got to try this when some kind stranger brought it to a bottle share. The host then offered his 2018, which was also amazing, but not as good as this. I bought my own bottle and this dram is from my own bottle, which is mostly full. Nose: sweet, menthol, cherry, brown sugar, oak, red fruits, caramel, leather, plum - ok, enough nosing, I can't resist tasting this any longer - cinnamon, light bubble gum scent. What a fantastic nose. I love this nose. More cherry, with a spice. Palate: oaky sweet with a gentle burn that allows you to keep it in your mouth for a while, on the nose and on the palate I'm reminded of those jolly rancher lollipops that used to be popular and the flavor goes back and forth between cherry and strawberry. Mmmm this tastes fantastic. Finish: leaves your mouth oily, which I just love. oaky, slight tingle, but that's mostly what I'm getting. The tannins definitely linger for a while, but that's the main taste I'm getting on the finish, with a minor strawberry or cherry note I hate to do this, but I heard if you add some water to this, it'll change and you'll get some more notes, so, while I hesitate to do this, I'm going to add a couple drops (of filtered water from the fridge). Post 3 drops of water notes: omg it's milk chocolate...it still has that rye spice, but it's got an herbal milk chocolate nose now. It's like smelling chocolate gin, if that's a thing. Cherry is coming back. Getting more spice on the finish. Didn't notice much but spice on the palate. There's a bit more tingle to the palate and less of the oak tannins lingering. Nose is kind of a salted cherry milk chocolate. On the palate, post-water, I'm not really picking up much other than the mild spice. Perhaps some very minor herbal notes? Some spicy banana on the nose. Oh my gosh, it's almost like a banana split smell. You have the gentle vanilla (ice cream), banana, and then the cherry and milk chocolate could be the toppings. Arghhh this nose is so good!! Some butterscotch oak on the palate now. Onto the last sip, although I really want to pour another...Mmmm more cherry coming through with vanilla bean sweetness. Man that was so good! I love this bourbon and I think it's my favorite of all time. I have high hopes for the bottle to just keep improving as I drink the bottle down - maybe I should have a second pour........no, I must save it! Be strong! This is so good. I may have ordered two backup bottles.... 96/100 - Backups required