Neat: Alcohol and traces of vanilla & banana flavoring on the nose; Strong on the palate with loads of barrel tannin and charcoal; Burning but lasting finish....However, when served with a hare of water or one small ice cube: Sweet and rich with smoked vanilla & bananas on the nose, very pleasant! On the palate, much of the same rich, creamy & smokey Vanilla ice cream with banana; Shorter on the finish, but still quite pleasant. I recommend serving with a few drops of cold pure water or a small ice cube; It helps if you like the sweet-smokey flavors as well; It gets a 3 neat & a 4 with the aforementioned water or ice cube, with an overall 3.5 due to price point ($33).