Nose is strong and complex featuring some really unique aromas; salted caramel, musty peanut shell like you’d find in a Texas restaurant where they throw the peanuts on the floor, freshly cut/sanded wood like 8th grade shop class, fresh cut Bermuda grass, and a hint of candied orange. Ethanol is there but presents as a soft background prickle. Not your typical rye nose (That’s foreshadowing, y’all) Palate is…different. Vanilla, pecan, nutmeg, light cherry, orange zest, and delightful heavy, smoky char. That secondary barrel is doing good things here. A kiss of anise and mint underneath is really the only hint that this is rye; blindfold me and I probably wouldn’t be able to tell. Flavors have richness, complexity, and depth. Finish is short side of medium, with old leather, tobacco, oak and pepper. An enjoyable finish for sure. Mouthfeel is buttery, which fits the flavor and finish perfectly. A really hard one to rate. As a rye? So non-traditional to the level that I’d have to say it loses a point. As a whiskey? It’s unique and tasty enough with enough enjoyable components to gain the point right back. I enjoyed it, I really did. I’m going to have to say at the admittedly overly high price I paid of $75 (only one shop near me carries it) it doesn’t scream “must rebuy” but on the other hand, I could see myself buying it again…someday. Especially if cheaper. If you can find it at let’s say $60, it would be well worth the purchase. I’d give it a 3.9 if I could but since I can’t, I will round up to a 4.0.