It's hard to get past the spice on the nose. Hints of red licorice are buried deep. First tasting at proof; spicy up front. toasted wood is hard to get past. Drys off the mouth and leaves a great lasting finish. After adding a few drops of water this starts to open up. It lightly dances it's way from the front to the back of the tongue. For the price this is a great sipper on the rocks. Neat if you want a fight on your palate.