For me, 4 drops of water really opens this bourbon up. Also, months of sitting on the shelf seemed to benefit as well. It is very rich and sweet, but it has that perfect bourbon profile. There's a figginess coated in caramel, syrup, and spice (sometimes even sweet tea - but not that artificial flavor.) The heat actually helps to keep the sweetness from being too much. Best enjoyed in small sips. A fantastic and affordable barrel proof. Looking forward to trying other batches.