Lots of oak up front, with a pronounced note of vanilla in there to give it some balance. For my palate, most bourbons have a distinctive early note that I find a bit off putting. I don't know if it's the sour mash process or the corn, but that singular note is why I prefer Scotch whisky over bourbon. Having said that, the off putting note is almost not there in Woodford Reserve. Finish is moderately long.