Note: this was a neck pour with a couple drops of water, after first trying neat. The nose after adding water, was sweet, all spice with cinnamon and vanilla. The palate was a vanilla pie crust tasted with an oily texture followed with a spicy cinnamon. The finish was spicy but pleasant and not much burn for a 110 proof. In conclusion, after trying it neat, personally I found it to be very spicy from start to finish. After adding a few drops of water, I thought it brought out the great character of this bourbon and I see why it has such great reviews. Wonderful bourbon