Knob Creek Small Batch was one of the first ryes I really liked. It was approachable, soft, but also had a developed spicy and tannic rye flavor. It was also $10 more than others, so I drank it with more respect. Gave it a 4.25 in 2018. Now KC Small Batch has a 7 year age statement, and I have developed a taste for ryes over bourbons. So let's see. Tasting this neat. Deep red copper color and strong coating legs in the glass. Nose is vanilla oak and grassy rye in the background. On the palate, vanilla and brown sugar, toasted grain, tannic astringent oak, char, leather, and baking spices rise at the end. Creamy and coating mouthfeel. The finish grows from that grassy spicy taste to dried fruit and a long tingling finish of mint and sweet grass that makes the lips tingle. Dry, not overly sweet and not sour. Good balance. An ice cube softens the astringent quality but the tannins remain. Very nice. Gotta say for a 51%(?) rye mashbill this maintains a strong rye flavor profile. It's easy to sip and has some character, and easy to mix in an Old Fashioned or Manhattan. Maybe it's just familiar, but I still think it's a solid aged rye (7 years!), especially at 50% abv and this $38 pricepoint.