I picked up a few bottles at a few Atlanta distilleries after doing some whiskey flights. This was one. I’m finally opening it to taste it at home. Nose: straight up grass and hay, reminds me of an Irish whiskey. Once it has sat for a bit, though, there’s some chocolate on the nose, and something a little fruity. First sip neat: Earthy, grass. It’s like the liquid version of breathing in a freshly-mown field. Not very sweet. There’s not a lot of heat to it, which is surprising for its age and the fact that it’s a rye. There’s maybe a hint of caramel on the back end, but only a hint. (Interestingly, my husband described it as “too sweet, but not in a good way.”) With water: The nose changes to bourbon vanilla-and-caramel. Still overwhelmingly earthy grass on the front. Gets a little sweeter, and those caramel notes in the nose actually come through in the back end. Finish: medium-long, sweeter than the actual drink. A little coffee bitterness once everything else has drifted away. If the whole thing tasted like the finish, I’d love it. Overall, this is not one I’d reach for personally. I don’t think that should be a deterrent for most people, however, especially if you like scotch and Irish whiskey. The more that I try, the more I realize that earthy/peaty/grassy whiskey is just not for me. Just a personal preference.