I can't disagree more with some of the reviews on this! So I'm not a fan of this series. They are odd bourbons finished in casks to save what seem like really off bourbon. Does 7 change my mind? Nose - So the first note is just sweet. And that might not sound like a note but the other blood oats are often bringing harsh bourbon oak notes, this is clean and sweet. It's candy sweet with some heaven hill over the top oak, but nothing too extreme. The overall impression is sweet candy classic bourbon rich higher proof notes and some nutty oak finish but subtle. Once it opens it's oak, nutty and sugarcane sweet with white wine notes. As it opens more white wine and sweet bourbon comes out. It remains a bit alcoholic for the age and a bit acidic. Overall, though I'm happy and it's uniquely nice. Taste - OK so I hate to say it but smooth. It just opens wonderfully sweet, subtle and smooth. It's a soft bourbon with some wine notes and it's watery. But then omg the finish comes and it's a BIG bourbon. The oak and nutty notes come in strong with the wine casks not leaving but getting over shadowed over time. The final product is heavy oak, decent white wine, and classic bourbon notes. 100 bucks? This is where I'm confused....it's better than a LOT of over priced bourbon I have. Given the market I get it. Would I buy another for 100 if I could? I don't think so. Will I buy the next batch? AT retail yeah....these are fun. Anyway 2.5, I really like what they did here but it's not great. This isn't as good as last year's batch. But it's close and better than the rum cask.