Appearance: The color of this increasingly popular rye is a dark brown football leather, with really thin, extra viscous legs. Nose: The nose is punchy and bold, but so good! Notes consist of cinnamon raisin cookie, fig and plum, dark chocolate, almonds, waxy chestnuts, fresh rye bread, and strawberry Twizzler. With a splash of water, it turns more floral and sweet with much of the complexity getting muffled. Taste: The palate is delicious, rich, and sweet with notes of chocolate mints, oatmeal cookies, subtle dried fruits, and the perfect level of wood tannins (for my tastes). There is also an ashy mouthfeel. With a splash of water, the taste becomes biting and imbalanced. I don’t recommend adding water. Finish: The finish is long with an aftertaste of black tea and mint. Thoughts: My notes here are from barrel number 461, bottle number 38/61 (just in case anyone was wondering). I love this rye! This is Distillery 291’s flagship whiskey and is winning awards all over! I would definitely recommend it and will be getting it myself again! If you’re not a rye person, I would at least try this and then reconsider. Distillery 291, as always, thanks! Cheers!