On the nose is rich, dark brown sugar, caramel, toffee with oak, vanilla, cinnamon, cherries and a hint of barrel char. - To the palate it is dry and oak forward. More savory than sweet. Complex spices layered on leather and tobacco with those charred oak notes throughout. - The finish is all oak and cinnamon. Very astringent, leaving an incredibly dry palate. — With water I get a sweet orange note on the nose, the palate presents more of a rye note which brings almost an herbal note to the bone dry finish. —//— Bourbon Mark: 89 —//— This has got the be the driest bourbon I’ve ever had. Not what I was expecting! The nose is classic bourbon, so I’m expecting sweet, then you get bitter, astringent, mouthwatering. Maybe this unique character is what draws so many people to Michter’s? It’s over priced, but I like it.