DAVID NICHOLSON RESERVE *NOSE: Oak, Peanut Shell, Orange Creme, Vanilla, Hay, and Light Fall Spice. Simple, but nice. *NEAT: Vanilla, Orange Oil, Light Oak, Slightly Bitter Tannins, all served up with a Peppery Tingle. A mild, building KYHug with a thin coating of Bitter Oak, Orange Oils and Peanut Shell coating the palate. Classic Heaven Hill. *SPLASH: A little water makes this All Vanilla Creme. *VERDICT: I keep seeing this referred to as "High Rye". If this, as my palate and all other information I can find, is truly Heaven Hill then that would make it 10% Rye. Hardly what I'd consider "high rye" unless you're comparing it to Nicholson's other release (1843) which has NO Rye. There is a certain spiciness here, but I suspect that's more a byproduct of the proof and barrel placement than rye content. It is quite good and perfectly serviceable neat, rocks, or mixed. Where this one loses me is price. It's Mid-$30's price tag takes it out of consideration for me based on the availability of so much equal or better whiskey in that same range. Knob Creek (9year and also 100 Proof), WT101 ($10 less), OGD114 (Actually "High Rye"), Dickel Bourbon (8year age statement), Jack Daniel's BIB (100 Proof and my early leader for best new whisky this year) all immediately come to mind as better options, and I'm sure there are more. It was worth a try to satisfy my curiosity, but nothing special enough to warrant a repeat buy.