Neat. Sample. Initial impression is that the finish is dominating this nose. Rum and cognac have equal footing. Rum is making this very sweet, hint of almond paste. Cognac is adding this grape undertone. Getting a low of powdered sugar, powder sugar in fried dough. Hint of milk chocolate. The nose is a bit fainter and even a bit hotter than I was expecting. Mouthfeel is viscous and syrupy. Initially I am getting a lot of root beer, very very sweet. Root beer again mid palate with a heavy blast of vanilla. The finish is all cognac, a faint concentrated ice wine. Subsequent sips I am getting more of this milk chocolate emerging in the front end and again on the finish. Huh. I like this less than I was expecting. I was expecting to be blown away due to my love of cognac finish, rum finish, and Four Gate. It’s delicious root beer, but that’s essentially it. I find tangents but I have to really look for them. I’m kinda relieved that I got a sample of this. Lovely taste but too expensive for a whole bottle.