Nose- super fragrant nose. There is a hint of fresh mint sprig, some peanut brittle, and then some more floral notes like lavender. I also get a bit of sweetness like creamed corn mixed with vanilla pods. The nose keeps giving up different notes with every minute it rests, and then every time I agitate the glass I get something different still. Palate- One word- BALANCE! Perhaps the most balanced Rye I have ever had. This is the "Miyagi Do" of Rye for me. If Mr. Miyagi were blending a Rye Whiskey, this would have been the one. Where there is a sweet fruit like apple, there is a lemon zest tartness, where there is an earthy peanut shell, there is bouquet of fresh meadow flowers. When I get a small hit of caraway seed, I also get crisp ginger. This is so well balanced. There is this even building on ethanol burn that the novice might even call this whiskey "smooth." In fact it is not "smooth" at all because it is so full of finish and has plenty of taste! It is just that the tastes are so well balanced that they fade into each other. To me smooth equates to tasteless and flat on the finish.....this is not that by any means. Don't call it smooth, polished maybe, flowing yes, balanced for sure. Finish- The finish is gift. It just keeps giving. I would say the most prominent ending notes are apple and a bit of clover honey. The warming is sensationally good from head to toe. Overall- This is a great blend of some excellent Rye barrels. Who might have thought that Dickel would have had Rye stock to blend with a craft pot still that is a throwback to pre-prohibition methods (3 chamber rye process). I hate the cost here. Over $100/ bottle for a blended yet bonded Rye from a craft distiller and a mass producer of Tennessee "love it or hate it" stuff???? It's a stretch to work yourself up to buy, a huge leap of faith, but it works. Having taken the jump in to buy a bottle I do not regret it. I have certainly done worse at greater investment. This one is a keeper.