Nose: Fruity sweet and something like an ale - it's almost more bourbon-like than rye. Palate: Subtle sweet seed-spices (caraway, fennel, cinnamon, allspice) with a fudgey, sweet toffee character livened by a little pepper. Again, quite sweet and restrained for a rye. Finish: Short and light. This is by no means the most interesting rye available, but it is arguably the most acceptable cheap rye (at least in Australia where our choice is very limited) and it works well as a mixer. In that role it is a genuine alternative to blended whisky. I enjoy it, but only as an everyday mixing dram and as not something to be sipped slowly and explored. However it has to be said that over an ice cube it is still a pleasant and gentle sipping rye. The low abv is what lets things down here - if this was at 43 or 45 % it would be a lot more interesting. It's reasonable value, and it used to be a bargain just a couple of years ago when it was $40, but the price has increased dramatically and it's not such a bargain any more. “Above Average” : 80/100 (3 stars)