A sweet and indulgent nose is filled with Brown sugar, caramel and ripe apples. That deliciously sweet nose carries on into the taste. Initial taste carries a hint of sweet but every so slightly tart candied apples. The familiar Maker's creamy vanilla rises to the occasion mid taste. The finish is hot, understandable from the proof but questionable as other Maker's limited selections seldom taste this hot. The finish is slightly dry and a little astringent but carries with it a bit of bitter unsweetened chocolate and just a hint of burnt sugar. Really, is there ANY Maker's limited production selection that's BAD per say? On its own this is a very solid, high proof bourbon. But when comparing it with Maker's amazing Wood Finishing Series: this one falls short. It's just a bit too hot and a bit too astringent to snag my heart.