Smell isn’t too strong or out of the ordinary. Ethanol with a little vanilla, caramel, maybe slight breadiness. Taste is quick, not sharp at all. Heat and common bourbon flavors that imply higher rye content. All in all I think the flavors are quite average, and this works well if you just want something simple, quick and light with a little heat. Seems that it would be better suited for mixing. This would be better priced at $25 in my opinion.