Appearance: The color in this rye whiskey is a beautiful dark caramel color. Thin very viscous legs cling to the glass interior like a mynock clings to a Corellian freighter. Nose: The nose begins with a sweet greeting that quickly fades into more dominant notes of licorice, brown sugar, and Nilla Wafers. After letting it breathe a bit a note of leather, and a smell similar to that of walking through a damp forest enter in as well. By adding a splash of water the complexity dies and a boring sweeter note takes over. Taste: The palate starts with Whoppers chocolate malt ball candy, followed by cereal grains, and a cherry note ending with some heat and spice. There is a rich oily body in the whiskey, but the taste starts off great and to me it then seems to drop and dissipate. Like going down a seemingly exhilarating slide then reaching the bottom way too soon. (I like their creative addition of charcoal filter/mellowing however that may have stripped some of the flavor from the whiskey.) Adding a splash of water, like with the nose, tones down what little variety was present and leaves behind just the familiar rye spiciness. Finish: The finish starts with a hot bite at first, but then it transitions into a pleasant downhill ride into a medium long almost malty finish. Thoughts: From my experience so far, this a really nice rye and whiskey in general. The higher proof does it justice and adding water definitely makes it boring. Though the palate could use a few more fireworks in my opinion, this is a phenomenal whiskey for the price! I do recommend it, and wouldn’t mind buying it again. Luxco, thanks for your quality Ezra Brooks whiskeys! Cheers!