Nice rich color out of the bottle Nose Very full and rich. Rye spice forefront. Baked cinnamon pear and vanilla sweetness. On returning to it, I get some sour cherries and caramel as well. Black pepper. Palate Oak tannins and spice on the hard palate. Extra dark chocolate and some bitter cherry flavor. The rye comes through nicely. The spice mellows over consecutive sips but maintains a constant presence. As this occurs, a subtle sweetness takes hold. Finish Long and full. Residual tannins and dark chocolate bitterness at the back of my tongue, lasting well into the next sip. A fantastic buy in my mind. One of my favorite ryes to sip. I am a fan of most of Michter's offerings!