This smells distressingly mild and young, almost like fresh cardboard, a note of cherry blossom, and nothing else. The palate is super weak, even compared with something like Evan Williams Black. It's quite floral in a way that reminds me of Irish Whiskey and is not wholly bad, but which is out of place for a bourbon. There's a sweetness that has some minerals, an odd but of salt, and some simple syrup mixed with the flower petals. This is not an enjoyable drink, but it is certainly not the worst rendition of young bourbon - at least it has a hint of wood and some nice cinnamon carried along. It tastes faintly like bourbon and it doesn't taste terribly bad, so chalk this up as not a disaster. There's so much sweet maple here though - it's kind of like an Anejo tequila gone awry in that regard. It smells a bit too sweet and fruity, but there is some toasty barrel too. Overall, it smells like a good sweet drink. The palate is watery and young. It tastes about as old as Lonehand, but has a more traditional flavor profile. There isn't a ton happening here, but there is plenty of sweet cherry and vanilla. The cherry isn't overwhelming, but the net flavor is far from balanced. The alcohol is barely makes and the damp wood flavor lacks character. The sweetness is fine, but it is not interesting and not super hedonistic either. Overall, the flavor beats that of Lonehand simply on the grounds that it is discernably what it claims to be. Lonehand tastes a bit more interesting, but is really not tasty. Compared with Jim Beam Black Barrel, this is weaker, sweeter, and less complex. It also tastes grassier with more of a monotone alcohol and burnt grass undertone.