OH BOY… BARREL No // 26E1446 NEAT NOSE - Very perfumey. This is the best nose on a rye I’ve ever had the pleasure of nosing. This could literally pass as a high dollar perfume on the nose and not whiskey. I get a huge floral impression on the nose with Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Vanilla, and Caramel. PALATE - Silky mouthfeel. Caramel, Vanilla, and soft oak. The palate is a huge letdown as everything is soft and muted. Again with Michter’s, I think the cause is the proof. FINISH - Non-existent to very short. Soft rye spice, Vanilla, and Caramel. I’m literally lost for words. Again, I think the proof is to blame but oh well. BUY? - This was a holy grail rye for me and it’s already overpriced in my opinion at $210 this year. Anyway, I never see it and struggled with myself at buying it for $250. I can’t lie and say I don’t regret it. I do. Hopefully this bottle will open up and get better with time but I doubt it. If you are underwhelmed by low proof whiskies, you’re not missing out big by skipping this one. BUY AGAIN? - I think my fascination with Michter’s stuff is driven by whiskeytubers and influencers. From Shenks, Bomberger’s and now this, I’ve been let down tremendously. But, let’s be fair. If I were to compare this to other low proof offerings, this would probably rank as the best. I think the biggest letdown of this is it’s price. Sure, some of the barrels are well over 10 years but I have no way of knowing how old this barrel is. This review has gone on long enough. I probably won’t buy this again. But then again, I might; hoping that. The barrel proof ryes are better for sure and for less money. Do with that what you will.