Tasted neat from a glencairn after several minutes rest. The nose opens with vanilla & caramel accented by a shimmer of latex paint. There's a bit of tart cherry and alcohol. This presents a bit better than it reads offering up satisfying traditional bourbon aromatics but revealing its heat early. This is a reasonably good bourbon sipped neat. It opens with sweet caramel, ginger, and tart cherry that gives way to ample black pepper, cinnamon and alcohol heat. The finish is long and warming. There's a lemon citrus sourness to the mid-palate that leaves a bitter, dry aftertaste. It's not unpleasant, but it is a bit unruly. This is okay, but not something I'll buy again. if I want high proof horsepower I'd rather come up with another $5 and spring for an Old Grand Dad 114. I haven't tried the Benchmark in this application, but I think the OGD might be a better choice for a Mule or Highball. There's an affinity between OGD and ginger. I suspect the Benchmark would be a better choice for a sour or collins. Buffalo Trace is a great mixer in any drink with lemons but suffers from s slightly underpowered proof. Problem solved here at a good price and with reasonable availability. In a sbs when tasted neat I like the Benchmark marginally more than Old Tub. The OT has a better nose, but the proof of the BMFP brings an intensity of flavor that's tough to beat for the price. Mind you I've been buying OT at $16.99, at $23 I think the BM wins the day. I've not tried this in a Manhattan yet, but when I do I'll report back.