Nose - Caramel, vanilla, cherry, brown sugar and oak, and almost no alcohol vapor. Taste - Gingersnap cookies, marshmallows, dark chocolate, a small amount of spice burn. Finish - Medium-to-long. Lingering brown sugar taste with a hint of oak spice. It smells like maple syrup and pancakes. The taste is thick and chewy, and reminds me of Christmas cookies. It is 115 proof and it does not taste like it. It isn't entirely smooth but it is incredibly balanced with a wall of different flavors. Adding a dash of water helps bring out additional marshmallow sweetness. This is a surprising whiskey. I read fantastic things about it and I was expecting it to be all hype, but I could not have been more wrong. It is a complex, delicious bourbon with just the right amount of kick. I was surprised to see the Distiller expert score for this is only 85. The scores are subjective, but they have no credibility with me when Evan Williams Single Barrel bourbon is sitting at 96. If you enjoy bourbon then try this whiskey. You will not be disappointed.