Neat, is starts out sweet, followed instantly by the heat of alcohol and cinnamon. Much hotter and spicier than the nose (cinnamon, oak, and is that marshmallows?) would lead you to believe. Great body, and a nice finish with the initial heat and spice present throughout. This is the first whiskey I've had in many years that I find better with ice. Adding just one cube to 3oz changes the experience significantly, taming the heat, but bringing even more wood to the forefront. The body is thicker when chilled (shocker, I know), and while it loses some of the oiliness I like, the finish is sweeter, with vanilla and honey taking the place of cinnamon and wood. Overall, a good bourbon, just not my preferred style. For mixing I'd find something cheaper, and for sipping, I'd prefer something less challenging, less in-your-face. The good news is that it's easy to find, relatively inexpensive as far as aged bourbons go, and it's a good step ahead of the mid-range runners like Gentleman Jack. Well worth trying, and your mileage may vary.