First glass out of a new bottle. Nose is cinnamon, herbal tea, and a little pine. Palate is spicy and sweet - quite flavorful, not very subtle, but everything is pleasant. A little pine and barrel in the background, which gives it a little complexity (though I would say the basic merits of this whiskey is that it is simple and good). Finishes spicy, with some of that barrel flavor. Very good, especially for the price, though I wouldn't consider myself a rye connoisseur.