After reading tasting reviews for several months about Blanton's, I found an excellent deal on 3 bottles...(consecutive numbered bottles,..same barrel/day). I opened one, poured a neat, and was pleasantly surprised. No, I did not notice fireworks, puffy clouds etc., but a really mellow bourbon that I could enjoy without ice. I'm too new to this to understand the fruit smells or candy flavors, (I'm sure their there). All in all..an excellent taste... $60.00 per bottle.