Neat. Sample. The last of the Old Carter samples. All have been great but the price point has been a hurdle for me. This $200 price point is becoming more common but it really needs to be BTAC level for me to agree to that price. Excited to try this Rye and see if this would be the pour that would inspire me to take the plunge. Very citrus forward on the nose - orange and lemon zest. A dark honey and molasses. Hint of black licorice. There is quite a bit of heat on this nose, I have to be careful with my approach and that is rare these days. There is an interesting layer of smoke and brine on it. It’s a great nose, but not blown away at this stage. Wow. Wow. So much flavor, I was caught off guard. Mouthfeel is oily and it spreads across the entire mouth and leaves flavors everywhere instantaneously. I am a bit overwhelmed by the amount of flavor that takes over the mouth as soon as it hits and rolls across the tongue. Vanilla, orange, cinnamon, clove, and lemon zest roll immediately across the tongue. Transitions to a sweet cream frosting with more cinnamon, cinnamon roll even. Brings another wave of the orange on the finish along with black pepper and a hint of that brine. It slowly rolls down the throat. Cinnamon and clove hang for a long long time. The nose did not warn me in advance. That was an incredible rye. One of the best ryes I have had. Every second of the taste to finish was top notch. If I see a Batch 5, I may grab it.