The aroma is of heavy nail polish, try sipping without smelling first, the aroma will throw off your palette, you can definitely tell a difference by smelling or not smelling first. Straight- light peppery notes at first that quickly fades to a sweet vanilla flavor, warm finish that seems to lack depth. Drops of water- still a spicy start that fades to vanilla but then some of the leather, oak, and smoke starts to come thru, much better depth. This one really does respond well to a few drops of water. Overall a nice 20 year that's just needs to be handled correctly, find the right amount of water and it will shine.