Hmm...in contrast to my previous review, I actually loved this bourbon this time. THe more I tasted it, the more it grew on me. Perhaps it needs to be sampled in isolation. It has simple aromas of vanilla, cola, and maple syrup, but it has a taste of cherries and smoke and a the bitterness of citrus pith that quickly flashes into a serrano-spicy kick that echoes...and echoes...and echoes, almost rye-like. At first sip, it's a little aggressive, but each successive sip is more and more inviting, like easing in to a sauna. I've gotta recommend it, much more highly than I did at first tasting.