Taste: 2oz neat in glen cairn, then 3 drops of water. This is batch #2, 127 proof, barreled in 2009 (NAS, but estimated at 9-10 years) Nose (4.5): Very well balanced nose. For a rye of this strength is surprisingly not that spicy. Some initial ethanol that dissipates quickly leaving you with the Jim Beam roasted peanuts, caramel, and some green apple. If I hadn't poured this myself I would have guessed it as a high rye bourbon along the lines of ECBP. Very well put together, nice and fragrant. It is not complex, but I don't think complexity is the goal. Some may find fault with that. Palate (4.75): This is serious whiskey. It jumps right at you and gives you a big Kentucky hug like some of the most noteable Booker's does (Center Cut comes immediately to my mind). The first sip makes you go, "whoa," but in that good way that tells you your taste buds and whiskey senses are up to be challenged. This is not child's play stuff. It is buttery, thicker viscosity, and has wonderful backbone. You get a sweetness with a spicy background. Spiced apple cake comes to the front with some molasses. Also think warm apple strudel with raisins, nuts, and caramel over the top. This is seriously good. It is better in my opinion neat as the water only brings out some sweetness and hint of dill. Leave it alone and you get an unparalleled richness. Finish (4.75): One of the best parts of this offering is the finish. Reminds me of the current Michter's Barrel Proof Rye. Sweet brown sugar, nutmeg, chocolate,baking spices then ending in fresh rye bread and a puff of smoke. Surprisingly does not burn at 127 proof! It does warm you and beckons you to sip more. Overall: If I were to taste this blind I would immediately think older Booker's, GTS, or Thomas Handy. All of those flavors are there in this one in spades, and the backbone that hugs you at the first sip is like an old welcoming friend. You want to sit back and sip while in a rocking chair while chatting. That said, rye purists may think this one may be too sweet. One could mistake the richness for too much sweet brown sugar. As you know, if you follow my reviews, I am partial to excellent ryes and have a soft spot for them. This hits that spot for me! I place this right up with this year's Michter's which up to this point is on my top 5 list for best rye of the year and maybe best whiskey of the year completely (too early to tell, lots of serious contender's coming out soon-- Cornerstone Rye, BTAC, OF Birthday Bourbon to name a few) This is very close to last year's Thomas Handy in taste as far as rye goes. My bet is if you tasted it blind you likely would not be able to quickly differentiate the two. The pro review on this one is not similar to my own. But then again batch 1 was at 119.6 proof and this is 127! Perhaps the higher proof cask strength makes all the difference. If you were to consider price here......which I never try to do as price doesn't necessarily equate to quality of taste, I would give a solid 5. Definate buy a bottle at 69.99. This is a steal of a deal in todays market.