Quite evocative on the nose, with a spice driven profile that instantly shouts “rye”. The first sip features sharp rye characteristics. Bready, grainy, peppery, chewy and held together by the vanilla/caramel cohesion of the barrel. But, there is also a fruity sweetness here. Like baked apples with brown sugar. As the flavor progresses, notes of cocoa, and lightly roasted coffee bean come into play, leaving the palate with a dry finish. As an aside, we love the design of this bottle and the beautiful cork. Really a thoughtful and artistic ensemble. Hard Truth has a real winner here for rye lovers. Time for a Sazerac cocktail!