I found Cask & Crew to be the opposite of your review- Palate was anything but bitter, in fact rather smooth and approachable for a rye/whiskey blend. The blend itself (almost half each) was intriguing as well and added an unexpected warmth at the finish. The flavors are very addictive for the newbie whiskey drinker, mainly because the flavors sit in the back, allowing the whiskey to play a leading role.