Nose: Very sweet. Intense caramel and brown sugar, almost molasses. Hint of slightly tart fruit like green apple. Palate: if the term “smooth” ever applied to a bourbon, it’s applicable to this one. The vanilla and oak flavor is so intense but there is no bitterness and no tannic taste. It’s much dryer and not nearly as sweet as the nose would lead you to believe. There’s a very slight hint of fruit at first but it’s soon covered up by the intensity of the vanilla/oak Finish: Very dry and spicy. No sweetness here. Oak and cinnamon with a pleasant warming nip from the alcohol. I can see why so many people love this bourbon. It’s not amazingly complex but it’s very intense. There’s nothing not to like, except maybe the price.