Barrel No. 23-03118 Rick 2-03 Bottled on 03-30-2023 66.35% abv; 132.7 proof Open 2.5 months Nose - Fresh rye bread. brown sugar, cinnamon, light banana, black pepper, clove, burnt vanilla, ginger, light coffee grounds, medium oak, and strong ethanol. Palate - Chocolate gingerbread, chalky raisins, herbal medley, pine, black pepper, cinnamon, clove, and toast. Finish is long with black pepper, clove, maple, cocoa, spicy oak tannins, and medium ethanol. I'm so glad this is now a regular release. The special release rye was one of the best whiskeys I've ever had. This isn't quite as great, but maybe one day I'll luck out with a single barrel. The difference, in my recollection, is this is spicier and less sweet than what I got with the special release. Dial down the pepper and rye spice and add in a little more caramel and maple, perfect pour.