Sweet nose, vanilla, spice, and dry leather. Initial taste is sweet with a big hit of vanilla, caramel, and sweet corn/butterscotch. Quickly transitions to strong tannins, barrel flavors, and some alcohol heat. Big buzzing pepper on the cheeks and roof with an astringent oak on the tongue. The finish is decidedly bitter that is long lasting with what tastes like the vegetal note of a stripped cob. Not smooth but certainly not harsh as any the alcohol notes are mostly covered by the body.