Of all the whiskeys I've tried, this was the most extreme example of one needing some time to "open up". Binny's had a few bottles on clearance for $25, so I picked one up to try despite the mixed reviews. The first taste was borderline undrinkable. Almost entirely ethanol on the nose and palate, and an uncomfortable burn the whole way down. Basically something that belonged in a plastic jug for $5-10. After sitting out for a bit though, this mellowed out a lot and actually became a very tasty whiskey. Sweet on the nose, with the ethanol present but not overpowering. I got a ton of peanut and caramel on the palate, with a sweet & spicy finish. I'm not sure if I would spend MSRP on it, but if you see it for $25 by you, it's definitely worth a try.