Color: 7/10 amber brown Nose 1: is fruity and caramel. Very rich. Nose smells delicious. Slightest bit of ethanol. Not bad! Taste 1: very peppery with the spice on the first sip! This one drinks pretty hot. Getting an astringent note on the back of the pallet that really bites! Usually I'm good with spice and heat but this one is doing something to the back of my throat. The nose is deceptively pleasant. The palate is hot and spicy. The rye comes through nicely on this one. Almost tastes like some of the barely legal ryes on the market but has much more of a fruity caramel and burnt sugar quality to it. Nose 2: reminds me a lot of maker's 46 on the nose. The smell again is simply Beautiful! Very deceiving! Taste 2: that heat does not let up! Normally it will subside on the second sip a little after the palate has been acclimated but this is really kicking my ass, and I love it! Overall: not sure its worth the 50 I paid since there Are so. Many choices at that price range that are single barrels or barrel proof or both! This is a small batch whiskey for 50! A little steep in my opinion. This is not a beginners bourbon! Cheers