Russell's Reserve 6 Year Rye

$33.99 from Costco. 9.17.16

Colour is surprisingly pale for a straight whiskey, hovering on the light-ish side of amber. Smell is sawdust, big vanilla, and the deli smells I often associate with Wild Turkey: huge caraway seed, a bit of dill, grainy rye, black pepper. A bit of butterscotch/caramel, some candied cherries, some alcoholic fumes. Taste is mellower than expected, though there's some definite spice. More brining spices, a bit of cinnamon, vanilla, wood char. Mint, some green leafy flavour? Peppery here, too, and a finish of dry vanilla, dry wood, and something herbal. Body could be beefed up a bit, but I have no big complaints. This is a versatile whiskey: mellow and compelling enough to sip, but also at home in some of the great classic cocktails.