Nose is heavy Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) with a little sour wood smell at the end. The harshness on the nose is diluted when watered or iced (tried both) but the sourness of this spirit does not abate. The oak can be tasted but it is covered by an odd sour taste that one might charitably regard as funk but not done well. When Iced there is a bit of smoke that comes through but it does little to help the flavor. Avoid at $20 dollars, you have better options even at that price, much less the $40 msrp.