The expert notes regarding the cinnamon red hot candy is spot on! Bold flavors abound from start to finish. The heat of the higher proof does hit about midway into the sip & definitely has a wonderful warm finish. When distillers release the high proof without nose burning alcohol as the forward smell & taste the pours / bottles instantly rise to the top of the chart for me. This 2023 GTS is wonderful- despite any of the big bourbon channels that claim it may be less than prior year releases.