A Friday evening (and what would have been John Lennon’s 80th) watching Yankees v Rays with the peripheral effects of the fading head cold lingering for two weeks. Well enough to pull a sample of this rye from Charleston, SC. I have been reading good things about NSR but, being in the Northeast, is difficult to find. I am a quiet appreciator of rye. Rye, I find, is less temperamental in nature and needs to properly mastered. A poorly distilled, blended can be a train wreck. But when you find that good rye, the multitude of aromas and flavors can be very rewarding. This has a slightly subdued nose, though still distinctly a rye. Dill, cloves, cinnamon red hots provide a nice spicy aroma. A floral note is faint (sweet elderberry, like St. Germaine), with golden honey, bubble gum and/or Twizzlers provide a subtle sweetness. A nice, full, balance of that spice and sweetness. First draw on the palate, the body is light but creamy dense. Gingerbread, walnut-pumpernickel toast, ground cinnamon, cloves provide a spicy potpourri. Bran, raisins, honey, golden-toasted marshmallows provide a sweet counter. A 1/2 teaspoon of water straightens the edginess and enhances the sweetness. But I feel is takes away the full character of the whiskey and prefer it neat. A medium long finish that’s surprisingly less spicy and more sweet and woody. There is a peppery quality with a slight prickly sensation that subsides and turns caramel, dark chocolate and oaken encased is spearmint. This is a decent rye that is busy, deep in aromas and rich in flavors. The 45% abv provides a good, strong backing. High Wire Distilling has done a great job producing a quality sipping rye. May make a good Manhattan, but I would be more inclined to sip this than mix it. Bump it to 48% and it probably could hold up better in a mixer. I will definitely have to seek out other NSR whiskies. Thanks @PBMichiganWolverine for providing me this sample. Really enjoyable. [87/100][Tasted: 10/9/20]