Admittedly, my palate may have been off (bought this bottle to place in a small barrel I have and was tasting the navy strength gin that I had resting in the barrel before I had tasted this) but it wasn't as spicy as I was expecting. Instead it was sweet, but not in an unpleasant way. Almost like a sweet herbal tea. Kinda earthy, mellow, and very sippable. Not the greatest rye I've ever had but still an excellent value for the price.