Nose...Picking up ripe pears, fresh baked banana bread, toffee, cocoa, carmelized butter, cherries, and then some... Appearance... Light to medium copper.. Taste... Oak Staves present themselves so well here. Dark fruits, sponge cake, wheat, slight smoke and pepper... Overall... Simply put, this Maker's Bourbon has taken one step closer to perfection. As far as bourbon or whiskey that has been either casked in wine barrels or something of the sort, I would say that this, with just 10 French oak staves has possibly won the entire challenge. From the price point, and the drinkability as neat as I like it, it's just really good and such an enjoyable sipper....