On the nose I get grass, rye grain, apple, maybe a subtle hint of vanilla, possibly a hint of cloves. It's a spicy drink - I get a real blend of spice on my palate- black pepper, maybe a bit of cinnamon, ground ginger, fiery rye. Beyond the heat, I get some typical rye flavors like maraschino cherries and almonds. I find that many entries in the Wild Turkey line and Russell's Reserve tend to have apple flavors, and that's definitely present - whereas Russell's is a sweet and smooth sipping mellow rye, Rare Breed Rye is the other side of the rye coin - it's fire and spice. The finish is long and hot - more ground ginger, barrel char comes through with some nice woody charcoal notes, maybe even some cocoa. A great companion for a cool fall night, with pumpkin or apple pie, holiday gatherings, or a backyard campfire. A great addition to the WT lineup. This is a real winner. Definitely be picking up another bottle when I finish this.