Not my first taste, but my first recorded here. I'm a rye fan, full stop. I've generally passed by this expression in favor of the older and more sophisticated Pikesville. This is everyone's darling when it comes to mixing drinks. I can understand why. Allow me an analogy... In audiophile circles it's common to want as speaker with a crystal clear high end and a neutral, natural midrange. It's easy to fill in the bottom end with a task-specific subwoofer. This is the liquor equivalent. It has a beautiful mid-range palate and lovely fruity overtones. It does not have the foundation that it needs, but in a mixed drink like a Manhattan that would be supplied by a quality vermouth. This is flexible and an excellent mixer, but it misses the mark slightly as a solo sipper. I'd prefer the Jack Daniels rye for the same price to sip neat or on the rocks. It's just got a better balanced flavor profile top to bottom. But for a Manhattan, it's Rittenhouse all the way.