Nose: Quite a bit of ethanol punch for a 40 proof whiskey. Oak abound with some background notes of vanilla and citrus peel. Not super complex but nice smelling. Flavor: Just like the nose but VERY sweet. Vanilla, oak, and a little bit of citrus peel here as well. Quite a bit of alcohol burn for the 80 proof. I don't think the 10 years in a barrel have done this whiskey any favors. Finish: Fairly short with a good bit of barrel bitter that I found a little off putting and a hint of rye spice. This whiskey is ok but nothing exciting. Maybe a higher proof would have brought out more of the flavor? It seems a waste to age something 10 years only to mute the flavors by bottling at a lower proof. If Basil Hayden's ever has a barrel proof release I'm all over it.