Nose: salted caramel, vanilla, milk chocolate, much later with time a woody element appears. Over time toasted walnut but by and large this is a very sweet enjoyable nose. Way later some citrus sneaks out on the nose. Body: full body, legit Kentucky hug Palate: caramel, spicy I’m not getting much on the palate the first few sips… maybe too hot? I’m going to put in a few drops of water… with water there is more caramel and vanilla. Little chocolate and toffee. Later it’s a little more nutty. This dram needs water to let it open. Finish: first sip brought heat. Immediate reaction is full bodied and long long. Note: This was an extremely generous gift of which I am very thankful. That said I plan to rate this as objectively as a person who loves bourbon can rate a whiskey. I haven’t dived too far into the knob creek pool but here we go… this is tasted neat. The nose is amazing. The neck pour palate left something to be desired it was just too hot to drink neat and taste a whole bunch. With water more flavor emerges. I’m going to try this again. Initial sip is good but not great.