On the nose I get strong cinnamon, maple syrup, bright flowers, fresh mown grass, green grapes, wet rye, white wine, vanilla, oak, candied orange peel, leather, and black tea with chai spices. - To the palate it is intense with an immediate arrival of strong, spicy rye flavours that give way to sweeter, fruitier notes of white grape juice, maple syrup, floral white wine, candied orange and cinnamon sugar. Oak dryness appears with dark chocolate, leather, then savory butter and black peppercorns on smoked bacon. - In the finish there’s a warm oak flavour with light maple syrup, vanilla and chai spices. — With water, the nose becomes more floral, the palate become far more spicy with brighter citrus notes, and the finish has a more candied oak warmth to it. —//— Rye Mark: 94 —//— Compared side-by-side with the 12-Year Old at 55% ABV, I find that one is richer in flavour with more oak and caramalized sweeteness, while the 11-Year is spicier and more zesty. They’re both great!