The smell is weak of flavor, but the proof is still there. The taste is great on the lips, but once it gets past the teeth into the rest of the mouth, all flavor vanishes. This is a perfect example of how wheated bourbons can fall very flat if not given another attribute, such as age, proof, filtering, etc. The taste is slightly different, but this is just as watery as Maker's Mark, but I can't say I expected much for the price. A redeeming factor is that, although the taste is weak, the proof does come back around on the finish and at least gives this a partial leg to stand on.