This is a tough one to nail down flavors and smells. The aroma...uhm...hogo, plum...ah, caramel! The first sip, wow! It's powerful. Retro-hale has a fruity cinnamon smell. Orange peel, cinnamon, and some of that funk. While quite a nice sipper (best after the first glass) it works GREAT as a mixer. This is a rum that can do both and well. Rating based on neat sipping.