The first two sips will absolutely knock your socks off… the proof commands your attention! Sip 3-5 (and so on) the whiskey becomes dangerously rich and silky! The front of the palate is brown sugar burnt french toast. Mid-palate presents smashed bananas, viscous vanilla, and hints of campfire wood! The finish is super full featuring combinations of all the flavors above but also hugs you with a deep barrel/barn wood presence! The finish is LONG a beautiful! For me it isn’t astringent nor is it overly ethanol based!