Very intense. Added a bit of water. The nose is leather, nuts, corn syrup, rye, burnt sugar. The palate was a bit too intense for me without water. Fiery, spicy rye. Maybe some cloves/baking spices. Oaky barrel. Burnt marshmallow, burnt brown sugar, sweet corn, toffee, maybe a hint of anise. Finish of caramelized sugar, smoke, slightest hint of maple. Charcoal, leather, tobacco. Lingering rich caramel. A real heavyweight in the bourbon world, a nonstop barrage of intense flavors. Having had Thomas Handy Sazerac, William Larue Weller, and George Stagg on a few occasions, William Larue Weller is my favorite because it is mellow, complex, and sublime. Stagg is the opposite - it is aggressive and intense. I think Weller is the better, more sophisticated whiskey, but Stagg is a non-stop assault on your tastebuds and should not be discounted. Thanks for the sample, Paul!