Aroma: The maple syrup aroma is so strong that I was tempted to pour it on some pancakes! Some vanilla is there as well. Taste: While it has a sweetness it's not overpowering. Flavors of vanilla up front & then orange in the shadows. This is GREAT as a sipper (room temp or cooler) or in cola where you don't want a dominating in-your-face rum flavor. There is minor burn at the tip of the tongue but not enough to give your wife an "akk!" face. This does go well with a cigar of any strength! Rating is based on neat sipping.