This whisky comes from a mash bill of 80% corn, 8% rye, and 12% malted barley. It's 80 proof, and cost me $8.29 for 200ml at the Total Wine store here in Albuquerque. The color is amber, and the legs form quickly, run long, and have an even spacing. RIGHT OUT OF THE BOTTLE Nose: Alcohol first and foremost, which is always a discouraging sign. Then come a faint floral note and some vanilla. With my nose further into the glass I got vanilla alcohol. The nose gave a comfortable warm feeling throughout. Taste: There's a thinly creamy mouthfeel, and notes of spice (more than I expected from so little rye), vanilla, oak, and a faintly medicinal note. Finish: It's short, and consists of nothing but spice and oak. WITH A SPLASH OF WATER Nose: Weakly floral, with some vanilla, a hint of oak, and with my nose fully in the glass strong vanilla with bananas. Taste: The thin creaminess is still there, but the only taste is spice and some oak. Finish: The same as before - spice and oak. AFTER SETTING FOR 10 MINUTES Nose: Vanilla - nothing else. Taste: Still the thin creaminess - that seems untouchable. The only taste is still spice and a little oak. Finish: Spice and oak again. This just isn't much of a whisky. Perhaps it works well in mixed drinks, but to just sit and sip it's mediocre at best. I frankly don't know what the big deal is about the Jack Daniel's distillery; this is better than Jack black, but only because the Old No. 7 is undrinkable.