IIRC, this bottle was from the second batch, the first one at 66 ABV. Smell : The first thing to hit is the Orange peel. Then, there is spices with cinnamon, oak, pepper. Some vanilla and light herbs with mint and fresh dill. WITH WATER : Same as without but a lot warmer, the caramel, vanilla, sweet oak and dill are on the forefront. Maybe some light smoke. Taste : The orange notes are much more in the background in the taste than the smell. There is caramel, vanilla, cinnamon and pepper as the main notes with the typical peppermint candy. Light mint. WITH WATER : Definitely more muted here. Where it's fresh and juicy without, with water it's caramel, vanilla, strong pepper and cinnamon, sweet oak but more muted and less interesting. Mouthfeel : It's thick but very ethereal at the same time. It feels like it's evaporathing at the same time. At 66%, it's not too surprising it feels this way. WITH WATER : Thicker and less ethereal. Finish : Pepper, oak, mint and dill are the main notes on the finish. Deep in the finish, maybe some light milk chocolate. WITH WATER : Dill, mint and pepper, not as sweet and lot more firery with cinnamon and pepper. Overall : This tastes a lot "fresher" than expected. You would think a 66% ABV rye would be heavy but this is borderline juicy and bright. WITH WATER : A lot less interesting / unique. Keep it straight. Without water is an easy 4, with 3.5.