This bottle had just came in today at my local spirts store , so being brand new and from buffalo Trace I had to give it a try . First impression when you open the bottle you definitely need to let it sit and breath for about 10-15 minutes at first heavy alcohol smell with cinnamon it will make your eyes water yikes!! After 10-15 or so calms down have notes of Vanilla, butterscotch, oak and tobacco . Taste : vanilla , butterscotch, pepper , tobacco, coats the tongue well and pretty smooth nothing amazing but good . Made it in to a cocktail since that’s what rye are for , made an old fashion was pretty tasty notes of persimmons came threw . All in all it’s decent I see prices from $40.00 to $175.00 I would definitely not pay more then $70.00 for this but it’s all about the name sometimes but ryes are generally used for cocktails and yes they can be drinking straight but in my opinion this was better in a cocktail then straight.