Tasting it neat, the initial impression is caramel,cloves, and vanilla. It has a rich palate, with a finish that lasts for about ten minutes. The beer flavors stand out with a bit of dilution, experiencing it with a cube of ice during the heat of summer. The hop spice is enhanced, along with all the 2 row barley flavors. Again, a long-lasting body with an extremely smooth finish. This 96-proof whiskey definitely holds up to a splash of water or cube of ice, and will make exquisite whiskey-based cocktails. Its currently drinking well, and will handle many years in the bottle. As the flavors will develop and deepen even more with time, we recommend enjoying some now and tucking a case away for special occasions 20 to 30 years from now.