The first impression is spice, vanilla, chocolate and oak. Then the complex balance sets in, wonderful classic bourbon notes fade leaving a lovely lingering taste of smoke and peat. This bourbon ages in Virginia American white oak barrels before transfer to ex-Islay Scotch casks for finishing. On the nose is smoke and peat, the company reports, along with spice, vanilla, chocolate and oak. On the palate are more of these classic bourbon notes, plus the smoke and peat, and a tad of iodine.