Color: Nice golden amber. Nose: I’m immediately hit with licorice. For me it’s a very fruity nose. As it opens up a bit I’m getting some tobacco with slight hints of the classic caramel and vanilla. It’s shocking that this is 116.8 proof based off the nose. Next to no spice nor heat on the nose, at least for me. The nose is loaded with vanilla after a drop of water. Palate: So good. Again, shocked that at this high proof there’s still hardly any heat. I get a fruit forward taste in this. Oranges in there I think. Kinda like a creamsicle on the palate with some spice. A drop of water takes away what minimal bite there is, but also muted some of the spice and flavor. There isn’t enough bite to merit adding a drop of water with the loss of flavor tradeoff. Finish: Good long finish. So good. At this price, I can’t imagine a better bang for your buck. Best bourbon I’ve had at this price.