I briefly toyed with giving this 5 stars, but it's not *quite* there...but holy smokes, this is a really good rye. Youthful enough to have plenty of spark and spice, but aged long enough to come across as smooth, with plenty of barrel-inflected vanilla and caramel, and a cherry quality, too. After my letdown earlier in the week with Pike Creek (same distillery), I didn't expect to be wowed, but this is some great rye whiskey for a good price.