Better than your average rye but at the same time nothing notable either. It's a solid rye that seems to be closer to bourbon than most rye as some corn is added. You aren't going to get a lot of outlying flavors, no heavy dill/pickle brine like baby Sazerac or heavy mint like some craft rye. Nose is very sweet( again the corn and higher than normal malt mash bill) and quite a bit of floral leap out of the glass. With water or ice these notes are elevated both on the nose and the palate. Vanilla on the nose as well, some light oak, and cinnamon. Palate is sweet with the cinnamon and quite a bit of black pepper bite come out swinging. Light stone fruit in the back which comes out most on the finish. Then the slight alcohol ding of the 100 proof keeps those spicy notes alive in your mouth and throat and adds a little licorice note. Finish is medium after the spice that carries over dies off the vanilla, oak, touch of black licorice/anise seed is left, and the fruit mostly apple so light peach and sweetness is the last notes left of the finish. On ice not only does the sweetness and floral explode but the cinnamon and pepper spice and alcohol ding is tamped way down with only a bit of pepper spice remaining. So if the 100 proof or peppery taste isn't your thing add some ice, if heavy amounts of floral and sweet isn't your thing drink it neat. Price is right, proof is right, well known name making some good rye whiskey.