Not that bad, even good despite its notorious reputation of a “cocktail” or a “party” drink. In comparison with Jim Beam it seems to be a more pleasant one, - it’s lighter, better balanced and less spirituous or forthright so to say. The smell is light, caramel sweet with wooden and spicy hints and some nuts as well. The taste is very familiar, given that all the pop bourbons of a similar market price taste almost the same. Vanilla and caramel sweet, very light, with some wooden notes. It performed right above my lowered expectations so I rate JD as a decent bourbon but still not the one you might get for the same price (just don’t bother yourself and go get the gorgeous Buffalo Trace or Woodford Reserve if you are ready to pay a bit over).