This has been my daily drinker bourbon (bought in bulk 1.75L size at Costco for $51.00). Lovely dark gold amber color. Slightly astringent nose, with robust vanilla that gives way to honey, finishing with a distant whisp of...ripe, golden apple! (I think of being in Europe, where that light, fresh-but-deep aroma surrounds the table after a golden apple has been peeled). Delicious spice finish, but it's the warmth that lingers most long after the spice wanes into light brown sugar (that's the joy of 100 proof!). Now you may be wondering why I skipped the palate...the truth is, this one doesn't like to show its cards during what many of us consider the central part of the whiskey experience (not me; I'm here for the finish). The palate needs half an ice cube to unleash the char. Once you add half a cube, man does the rye kick delightfully! It's almost magic; this whiskey goes from generic-but-solid quintessential bourbon flavor to spicy. Doesn't get funky (if that's what you want, go with a Wild Turkey distillery product), but a measured light rye taste coated in a delicious, sticky char. Without the cube, it tastes thin until you get used to it (I actually stopped adding ice to this a long time ago). Over time you realize, you cannot regret buying this bottle; eventually it defines the way you think of the word "bourbon." I've heard it said that if Rock'n Roll music had a different name, it'd be "Chuck Berry." Well, if 100 proof bourbon had a different name, I'd say it's "Knob Creek."