The nose smells of sweet chocolate with a faint hit of ethanol. Smells slightly alcoholic. The palate sings at full chat immediately upon the taste. Malted chocolate reminiscent of Whoppers ( the candy, not the hamburger ) with a little bit of pipe tobacco explode on the taste. As the taste crescendos, some spice pulls up, taking front and center as the taste fades into the finish. Its a sweet spice, like Red Hots and fades off. This bourbon is full of surprises. Another complex one to add to the "must try" list. Guilty as I may feel about saying this though: as good as E.H Taylor Small Batch is: Blanton's is still better. But hey, different strokes for different folks.