This, so far, is the finest whiskey I have ever had. If you've ever raked your leaves long after the top layer dried and the bottom began to rot, thrown them in a fire and thought "Hmm, smells so good I wish I could taste it!," this is the way to do that! Very earthy, smokey, rich, and oily. Flavors of wood, leather, caramel, toffee, and maple syrup, some subtle, others pronounced. It's been awhile but I think it also had flavors of black cherry and raisins. It smells as Lapsang Souchong tea does, tastes of it as well. The finish is caramelly, smokey, woodsy, and earthy. Drink straight in either a brandy snifter or a single-malt tulip glass, if you add ice or water, it brings out such an overpowering flavor of iodine and leather that you miss the deliciousness of this whiskey.