Verdict: balanced but spicy sweet like a stir fry. Not exactly what I was expecting. Very well crafted, enjoyable, but I won’t hunt for it. Not exactly the profile I am drawn to. I’d reach for GTS first. 1 oz pour, neat in a rocks glass. Medium amber gold, about average for bourbon. Oily. Long, slow legs. In a rocks glass, so not ideal, but the nose is mostly muted. A simple honey note and a hint of toast. Pleasant but not special. No ethanol. Stuck my nose in there for 30 seconds and no burn, a surprise for the proof. The taste is quite spicy and complex. Some from the proof, some just the flavor. Tart red berries, cayenne, and honey. Sweetness is just a component, not a driving force like some bourbons. A hint of medicine/licorice, and very noticeable barrel notes throughout. Some oak tannins, but the char is more prominent and persistent. A predictably long finish that leaves the lips and roof of the mouth tingling. Revisiting after a just a couple drops of water from a cocktail straw, the bite of the spice is tamed, and sweetness takes over. Easier to hold on the tongue and enjoy. Wish I had a bigger pour to keep proofing it down and explore it further.