This is the bourbon that started me down this damn rabbit hole, so it has a special place on my shelf to be transparent. But, its also, it deserves that spot. The nose has wonderful layers of crisp apple, vanilla, and cinnamon. Not apple pie, to fresh and 'crispy' for that. Then the palate delivers a nice oily mouth feel, with great fruitiness and sweetness on the front. Then the spice and char hit, with a nice but not too hot cinnamon and oak to finish it. I wouldn't call this smooth, but it is not the alcohol that makes the burn, it is the rye and heavy char making a nice robust flavor. What a bourbon should be, and this is an incredible price point. Not many better offerings in the $20-$30 range.