Nose is very full of ethanol, but a careful approach pulls out dark cherry, oak, vanilla and green peppercorns. Palate starts briefly smooth, and richly coats the tongue in chocolate covered cherries before flashing to hot ethanol which takes some time to subside. Once it does pass, there’s more peppercorn and caramel before a clean, sweet finish. Sonewhat reminiscent of Four Roses Special Edition, only much hotter, and not as well executed. A Norlan glass tames the ethanol but also mutes the cherry and completely removes the peppercorn, leaving mostly vanilla and caramel which is somewhat boring in any whisky, but even more-so in what is purported as a limited release. A splash of water (in a Glencairn) mutes the heat, making it easier to find the cherry, vanilla and caramel, but it also makes it barely discernible from a dozen other mid-range bourbons. Somewhat disappointing, as this to me is the weakest of the entire line. It drinks much hotter and younger than the 111, which is readily available year-round for 20% less, and also has a better flavor profile. I’m happy to have tried it, but I also won’t spend a lot of time hunting for new versions every spring and fall.