Drinking this neat, neck pour. Story of picking this bottle up is a fun one. I was driving back from work and I saw this pop up on some of my bourbon finders. 99% of the time, it’s a red herring but I felt I had to call into the stores just to see. First store location, the sold out the day before. Second, bottle had sold as soon as the store opened that day. Third store, evidently, the bottle was purchased and return some 15mins later. The purchase was evidently not approved by his wife.. HA. So the store owner said to hurry in before it’s gone. Ok, for all that, I knew the reviews of this bottle were so so. But there is nothing like a good chase for specialty bottles! Opening this up, the nose is pretty bread and butter EC. Peanut, oak, honey and vanilla. It has this cherry danish vibe going on. Hmm I get some baking spices fighting against brine too. I’m surprised the oak is not over whelming for an 18 year. Quite subtle actually. But damn, that spice is persistent. Hmm, this is an interesting pallet. The oak is there with baking spices and toffee, but not producing a much heat as I was expecting from its younger counterparts. It comes in two parts, with tongue getting peppered in the second part. First part is mostly smooth. There is a pepperiness and tobacco leaves on the finish. Probably my favorite part. Honestly, this is good bourbon and I do like how the mouth is more complex than most. BUT this bottle enters tator territory for secondary so watch out. I am not disappointed because I knew what I was getting myself into. Fun shelf pour, cheers everyone!