Oak, vanilla, and pepper immediately on the nose with a slight hint of banana nut bread. Spicy and peppery on the front end of the palate. Oak and light smoky flavor mid-palate. Long peppery finish trailing off to a vanilla. I would not recommend for the newbie bourbon drinker due to the immediate peppery taste from the high proof. I prefer this spirit on the rocks to mellow out the upfront pepper.