Very hot, but that's to be expected. Drinks about what you'd think, given the proof. Could see this as being aggressive for those that aren't accustomed to high proof. Heat so far a few sips into the glass seems to stay localized in the mouth, leaving a persistent numbing. Nose: Fresh Cinnamon roll, Iced Gingerbread cookie. Maybe something like a coffee cake with a hint of clove. Taste: Tends to follow the nose quite a lot on the forefront, morphing to something like a sweetened black tea note in the mid palate, and leaving a relatively heavy oak finish with a sweet tobacco note. Excellent and full of flavor. Definitely a worthy Jr. to the big boy George T. Stagg. Wish it was more readily available.