It smells mild with a sweet toffee and banana presence but the palate is mainly harsh, tart, and bitter. It really buns and it's quite difficult to suss out any deeper flavors at this proof. The alcohol is warming but doesn't bring in that nice sweetness that high proofs usually have. It's frankly a massive challenge to drink. With water added, it becomes less painful, but still seems predominantly alcoholic. With further water added, the drink comes under control, but it doesn't have a ton of flavor. It's largely bitter and tannic. It's really quite a challenge to drink. It's super drying and excessively spicy but there are some hints of tropical fruits and banana in here along with some astringent flavor that may be raspberries. The fireworks are super present too. Vanilla is there but gets shouted down by everything else. It isn't sweet at all. This seems like a good mixer for a boozy drink but otherwise I'd say it's more of an interesting experience than a worthwhile drink. At least there are none of those gross bread flavors or anything. When it's ridiculously diluted, some nicer flavors start to come out. It's still dry and I appreciate that, but the spice dies down a bit and some more banana and molasses flavors come out. The richness with water added is actually really good. Since adding water is always an option, I feel fine bumping this drink up some points. Like, 6 points. The nose isnt as full of smoke as I expected. It does smell like alcohol, though not 69%. There's quite a bit of fruit on the nose.and some smoke and a bit of spice do come out. There's actually quite a lot of fruit presence. The palate is shockingly smooth at first, though some burn does cut in and cost the tongue in a sort of wet wipes vibe. There's a ton of tasty tropical fruit though. It isn't quite as viscous as Smith And Cross and it doesn't have the same complexity or richness. Still, there is plenty of flavor. I would like some more in the fireworks department though. The balance is better here. There's a bit of an Everclear presence, but nothing out of control. The sweet tropical fruits - including banana, papaya, mango, and a numbing orange zest presence - are quite nice and keep this drink from sinking under the alcohol. I think I prefer Smith And Cross a tad for its funkiness, but this is quite good in terms of general dark rum characteristics. Definitely a strong mixer. The finish has an increased amount of wood and Everclear, with a hint of beef jerky. It's a decent sipper overall. Man, I'd really like to have a bottle of this and a bottle of Smith And Cross. Of the two though, I'd definitely rather sip the Smith And Cross. This has too much alcohol for sipping. Water does tame it though. There are the same flavors, but the fruit is a bit sweeter and lasts longer. That bitter Everclear note does unfortunately last even with water added (though maybe my palate is a wreck after Smith And Cross and this). That keeps this from moving up an extra point. It's quite good, especially for the price. Still. There's that bit of Everclear aftertaste that I don't like. I personally prefer Smith And Cross. Others may disagree. This is very good though and is indeed sippable.