Was gifted a sample of this by someone who doesn't know I'm not big on ryes. However, I know this is a popular / sought after offering, so I am excited to dive in. Nose: ethanol, black licorice (anis), light honey, milk chocolate, there's some kind of salty toffee/caramel sweetness behind the chocolate I'm struggling to identify, lots of red fruit sweetness, tobacco. ok, let's go in for a sip. Palate: pepper and honey, very light, some tobacco, a sweet cherry, red apple Ryes: kind of drying, rye spice, sweet, oak tannins The nose is nice and complex, but the palate and finish are really lacking for me. It's really light, and not much going on, along with some of those rye characteristics. Aside from the nose, I'd consider this a cheap, easy drinker. If this was a blind taste, I'd definitely think it was cheapy with the simple palate and quick finish. Definitely not something I'd chase at MSRP or secondary. 65/100 - really debating on giving this a "Sure I'll take some" or "I'll pass" rating b/c I know the cost of this and its rarity. This is an easy drinker b/c there is so little going on I'd throw it back and need a refill without even thinking about whiskey. I'll go with "I'll pass" b/c of the cost and rarity and leave it for someone else. If it was $40-60 I'd take some and not worry about how quickly I drank it. *Not sure what year this bottle was, but given that this is much lower ranked and reviewed than the 2021, I'll put this under 2020.