**Nose** Lemon peel, orange peel, and candy, with a hint of wood spice and cinnamon. Dried fruits like mango and plum, vanilla, powdered sugar, and a hint of incense. A very slight floral note at the end. The aroma evolves over time, becoming layered yet intense. Notably, there are some unique roasted coffee bean notes. **Palate** A burst of sweet lemon and orange, complemented by spice and the bitterness of citrus peels. There's a hint of acidity and a balanced oak presence that transitions into sweet vanilla, brûlée, and then cocoa. The vanilla and burnt sugar are particularly dense, even more so than Stagg 22a, but are balanced by the oak and rye spice. The balance of savory, sweet, bitter, and slightly acidic tastes is remarkable. **Finish** The finish is medium-long, carrying a balanced mix of rye spice, sweetness, and brûlée. **Summary** This is the best bourbon-style whiskey I've ever tried. The balance and intensity of the notes are exceptional. However, I'm deducting 0.2 for a slight astringency/acidity/bitterness in the finish, reminiscent of over-steeped black tea, which isn't unpleasant but noticeable.