COLOUR: Dark bronze. LEGS: Very thin clothesline; micro-beads consolidated into bigger drops on the line; then gentle and slowly rolled down the glass like Empress Carlotta's necklace. NOSE: Moderate (3/5); rye spice; some acetone (Sharpie marker); sweet vanilla, caramel & butterscotch; sour green apples; black pepper; herbal dusty hay; drying wood; slightly earthy and rubbery. Not particularly enticing or special. Does not smell like 65% ABV. WITH WATER (10 drops into 15mL): no difference; 10 more drops causes it to fade quite a bit. Score 7/10 TASTE: Hugely powerful (5/5) & richly flavoured; lots of sweet vanilla & caramel; giant hit of rye spice; a massive explosion of flavour in the mouth; very drying; all fruity, sweet & spicy; vanilla & butterscotch; black pepper & cinnamon; herbal and woody. Now you can taste the full 65% ABV. Huge & flavourful mouthfeel; very very tasty, but a but rough on the edges due to youth. WITH WATER: a little tamed and more manageable; fruity spice elevates; still very drying; 10 more drops brings forth some gentle creaminess, which is quite nice; always the burning spicy rye though. Score 9.5/10 FINISH: Long and numbing; sweet spice lingers. WITH WATER: dryer and longer. Score 9/10 OVERALL: Really excellent, strong, fruity, sweet & spicy dram; my tongue is numb! Get as many bottles as you can. (2021-10-02) First impressions: really strong and flavourful; like a sherry bomb (think Glenfarclas 105) with maple syrup and toasted rye bread; needs a loooong time in the glass to open up its flavours; first sip is devastating on the senses but subsequent sips are excellent; I didn't even need to add water; the best of the first three batches by far. Weighted Score 8.7/10 IMAGERY: I'm in the back of a barn just after harvest time; the barn is full to the rafters with fresh grain and dust; there is a chill in the air, but I don't care, coz this bottle is keeping my nice and warm while I goof off and avoid my chores.