This is just good bourbon. Smell is great with small notes of leather and maybe tobacco with a slight ethanol. Taste to me is honey, vanilla, and oak at the beginning then settles into a robust smooth oak, leather and very small hint of pepper spice. This is a great bourbon for a beginner or an enthusiast. Very easily drinkable neat and on the rocks. Really enjoying this one as a go to bourbon that is easily available under 30$. Found ranging from 24 - 30$ in my area.