Tasting: First neat from rocks glass, then with ice added. Nose (3.0): A bit lacking. I got some oak and white pepper with a bit of vanilla in the background. Palate (3.5): Straightforward first alcohol and then heat. Mellowed out to a bit of cteam soda. Pepper still stayed there. It was ok, and I think would hold up to most mixed drinks. Finish: (3.25) It mellows out but for the lower proof is medium lasting. A bit minty and still spicy. Sometimes a bit medicinal Ice does little for the taste other than tempers the heat and kills the flavor. All and all this is an OK rye. For 22.00 a bottle I would keep it around as a manhattan mixer.