This was aired out for an hour in a rocks glass. The resulting aromas were vanilla, apples, and cherry cinnamon. Cask strength caramels, butterscotch, and cherry pie laced with cinnamon were awash in ethanol % as the latter dominated the palate. The mesquite finish of the included Del Bac arrived as dark spice (just to let you know that this was no BBQ). Some fennel and mint characteristics were discernible, as well. The finish was oak dry (as is the norm with me when drinking higher-ABV whiskey) and concluded in a smoky, red hot cinnamon candies note. This left more of an impression of a seductive smoky rye, than a blend of single malts. With a second go, I added an ice cube. The nose was a teeny bit like a Highland scotch, and included a slight undertone of black licorice. The palate from there began to resemble a bourbon, with fennel and star anise notes creeping in. The mouthfeel was delightfully rich and creamy. For my wheelhouse, this was not a one hit wonder but I can definitely see how this might work masterfully well when paired with a mild cigar... Cigar... I rarely smoke one, but when I do I keep remembering an event when an ex-girlfriend was running around her apartment like her poor a-- was on fire. When I wondered out loud, she replied with a one liner - there was way too much smoke for a one bedroom apartment. Me - I kept huffing away. I knew right then I didn't want to share a larger apartment. In short, I wanted to love it as is, but the macho man in me stuck with the cigar experience.