The nose comes off as alcohol strong every time for me. Behind it is a rich brown sugar though. More brown sugar on the nose with some decent wood bite. I always get a chocolaty nutty flavor from Knob Creek that I have grown to love. The finish is medium length and pleasant with burnt brown sugar and the after taste I get from dried nuts. Water brings forward the chocolate note but flattens everything else. Overall a good bourbon for the price if you like the notes and well worth the try.