Sweet and smooth. I don’t care if its a blended Bacardi rum-what they do with it in the finishing process is just a Grand Slam! One of my favorite sipping rums. I can taste the orange peel and woodiness, and the sugar cane. I personally dont feel like its spicy - a little bit in a balanced way but not overly so. This is my 3rd bottle purchaed and it certainly won’t be my last.