Freshly opened bottle - the nose is immediately oak, creme brûlée and earthy notes resemble the of the Beam peanut shell funk. There’s a tickle of ethanol as well but not the eye burning single barrel effect being 20 proof lower. No sting up front, just soft oak and sweetness with heat and a bit of candies cherries and slight cinnamon kick on the end (which more closely resembles the mid-palate 9 year age statement single barrel). It has more of the floral, oak and leather tones than its 9yr age statement sibling. For the price I think I prefer the heat and spice of the younger sib but this is still a good sipper and likely take enough to please the masses. For the price would take Bookers any day of the week though.