Poured neat. Deep golden coloring. Nose is sweet and spiced like a fresh coffee cake. Notes of fruit, I pick up on a mixture of apple and black cherry. Strong cinnamon and black pepper taste right off the bat. Instantly warms you from your cheeks all the way into your belly. Although the initial punch fades quickly, the sensation lingers, making the second sip much less dramatic, allowing you enjoy the flavors as they unravel. The pepper and spices don't back down, but a hint of butterscotch does begin to peak through on subsequent sips. Overall taste is very balanced, not overly complex but certainly not lacking. I find myself enjoying this bottle of Michter's a little more each time come back to it.