Oak contains vanillins and wood sugars. French oak tends to taste a little bit more spiced and American oak tends to be a bit more sweet.
When making my apple mead, I always add French oak while maturing, and it makes a huge difference in taste. I add it mostly for the tannins though (the bitter part of tea), which gives it more "chew" (like the difference between white and red wine).
From someone where poor alcoholics drink Listerine to get drunk despite how hard it is on their body, it is nothing like bourbon and a scourge on humanity. My city took it off of user shelves and behind the counter at stores and pharmacies until lobbying got their way.
Oh and btw it only works short term and doesn't even cover half the causes of bad breath.
It reminds me of that bacon-flavored soda that was popular for a couple weeks until everybody tried it and was like "Yep, that's what drinking bacon is like" and never bought a second bottle.
I've always preferred straight alcohol. I never get why so many people are unable to drink it.
Like... It's strong. That's the point. Yet still, one sip of your drink and they have to make a big thing out of it. It's not a blended sugar drink, lol. It's like an espresso... Brace yourself for flavor town and take a SIP.