After trying RR straight bourbon and really loving it I was excited to finally find this on the shelf. The nose on this is initially pretty, delivering obvious notes of rye, yeast, citrus, and dare I say Hubba Bubba gum. Let it breathe a little and the vapors gather and there is also some potent ethanol, which wasn’t expected being only 90 proof and aged at least 6 years. It would have me believe it’s much younger then that. The palate delivers more grain, and noticeably absent is the sweetness that is usually present on the front of many Ryes or Bourbons. The high corn % shows up next, tricking your brain into thinking you grabbed a Bourbon. The back of the sip gives way to baking spice, pepper and anise. The #4 char shows up on the finish, lingering with bitterness and tannin, with mild warmth that sticks around way longer then it should given its price. This is a good rye, and for the price it deserves a price on your shelf. It is smooth and balanced and rich, but for the same money (or less) the 100 proof Knob Creek Rye can deliver a very similar experience but with a little more drama.