Aroma of oak and definitely bourbon, all coated with molasses. Neat sipping flavors are bourbon, oak, and what i can only describe as brown sugary alcohol that coats the sides of my tongue. Retro-hale is dark cola/soft drink. While just okay for sipping, this works really well for mixing, particularly the simple but ubiquitous "rum-n-coke". It's not overly sweet and provides the rum flavor (and kick!) without being overwhelming. Rating based on neat sipping.