Aroma-caramel and old wet oak are really bold here up front. Getting quite a bit of lemon cake with vanilla frosting… and some leather presence as well coming through. As it opens up I’m getting some red apple notes and even a slight touch of cracked black pepper. I must say. For a <$40 bottle, the nose is quite nice and complex. The oak presence is very nice and reminds me a much older aged bourbon. Really hope the palate follows the nose on this. Taste - light fruit and caramel.. touch of vanilla. Still getting a light hint of that sweet cake and frosting. The finish is very short and has a slightly drying aspect on the back end. This is coming in quite hot too. Little rough around the edges to be honest. Overall - the nose is far superior than the palate. The nose comes off complex and much older.. the palate is youthful, flat and the finish is quite drying. It drinks a hotter than its proof too. For under $40 price, it’s average. Decent bottle to leave out for parties (I ended up putting this into a decanter). Probably something I will end up making an old fashion with. Doubt I grab another bottle.