Tastes

This IS interesting. I'm not sure it's a 90 for me, but it certainly is a unique effort that pays off in a good way - and this coming from someone who views flavored whiskey with extreme skepticism. It's a fine rye... that happens to have honey throughout, especially on the finish. Amusing and rather delightful, like pulling honeysuckle blossoms off the vine and licking the ends while swigging an adult beverage. That said, drinking a full 2oz without cutting it ended up a bit too sweet. But I think if you dumped a shot of this into champagne or properly sour lemonade you'd have heaven. Even an ice cube might be enough to tip the scales. Going to go try that now, excuse me...

Smells and tastes of highly buttered cinnamon toast! Very smooth approach without an overly bombastic spice spike. Comes off young but well mannered to me; don't mind the finish lingering around as long as it does.

If I could give this a 3.5 I would, because while it wasn't my absolute favorite I thought it was unique and interesting among the ryes I have tried. The official tasting review pretty much nailed what I got out of it, though my overriding impression was cinnamon Christmas cookie on the nose/cedar wood on the tongue. Just intriguing. Would like to try an older expression if they ever make one.