Sweet and smooth easy drinker. Oak is very strong on the nose, with a little brown sugar and vanilla showing. Wood dominates the immediate taste, saw dust and hardware store vibes; dusty. But that fades to a wonderful sweet experience of rich caramel and vanilla birthday cake, maybe creme brulee. Maybe a little fruit juiciness as well. Sweet, but balanced by the wood. Tastes like a wheater, but with a little more body. No spice. Finish is a little lack luster, a sweet and punchy vanilla lasts longest, but not as long as I would like. Only a 3.5 because the price is a little on the high end. If it was a little more complicated and had a little more spice, it would be a home run. If only they double oaked their rye offering.... a man can dream.... This is tasty, but a little one-dimensional, pricey, and low proof to be rated 4+. Not too different from the sweetness of Old Foreseter 86, at more than double the price. Same oaky sweetness as Makers 46 at a lower proof and 150% the price.