Idk what i was expecting. I bought this last fall in 2023, and i guess due to the lackluster reviews I had been hesitant to crack to bottle open, but boy am i glad i did. This this a beautifully complex and underrated pour. Its everything that Beam does right at perfect age and proof point to enjoy neat. I need a backup bottle asap! Nose is like old slightly musty oak wood, with dry cocoa powder, leather, and vanilla bean pods. The tannins have a medium dry effect on the sides of the tongue in the mid-palete but don’t over do it. The front is oak and maple, and the finish is medium-long.