Though my incoming supply of whisky samples has slowed considerably, my consumption of samples seems to have slowed at an equal or greater pace, so I’m still acquiring more than I am drinking. I’m not complaining, there’s just no time these days to plow through samples like I was doing a year or two ago. Figured it was time to get back to it and thin the herd a little so I grabbed this rye that was given to me by @pollywollydoodle This NAS rye from Buffalo Trace is bottled at 45% ABV, is a natural color of dark copper and is chill filtered. The nose is very herbal with oregano, dill and mint. Quite sweet with some caramel, brown sugar and toffee. Light rye spice, cola and bubblegum. It shifts away from the sweeter notes with polished oak, barrel char, vanilla, orange oil and dark honey. Grassy, walnuts, buttery pecans, cherries, sawdust and a hint of mocha. The palate has a sweet arrival with a foundation of wood spice. Clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, anise and charred oak. The sweetness comes in the form of bubblegum, cherries, cola and dark chocolate. There are also some bitter walnuts and orange oil. A medium bodied mouthfeel that is lightly oily and creamy, mouth coating and dry. The finish is medium long with oak, peppery spice, walnuts and dry. As most of you may already know, I’m not much of a rye fan, but this one isn’t too bad. Not too complex, but nothing really unpleasant. Seems like it could be more though, and would probably be best in a cocktail. Cheers