As with most cask strength spirits, the heat can be felt on the nose but for this bookers release you also get vanilla and even some smoke and leather. The ethanol still dominates though. The palate is unfortunately disappointing. The heat is felt quickly with the high proof but quickly followed by caramel. It really is pretty one dimensional. It's not bad, but the faint leather and smoke from the nose is not even there. Maybe slightly on the finish but even that is subdued and you really just feel the burn on the way down with a touch of spice. Adding a bit of water doesnt really do too much besides lessening the ethanol ambush on the nose and on the way down. It's still one dimensional with caramel leading the charge. I've had a few of the bookers bourbons but this one seems more useful in a high quality cocktail like a mint julep over just sipping it on its own. Decent but ultimately disappointing.