Like many here I usually don't go for flavored anything whiskey. Other than discrete barrel flavorings , my only forays have been with the Maple flavored Knob Creek and now this one. Pleasantly surprised that the Maple is so subtle and the sweetness level is not overdone. The Whiskey noses well and tastes exactly like it noses. I find many standard American Bourbons are always Vanilla, Caramel, Oak Barrel and pretty much nothing else. I think this has much to do now with the modern trend of flavoring our Whiskeys. This one seems to have hit on a well executed blend of flavoring with the usual suspects and come out the better for it. As a comparison the Knob Creek, while delicious in it's own way, is much like drinking maple bacon. Each has it's uses depending on Mood/taste. $50