This Straight Rye replaced Jim Beam’s longtime Rye Whiskey in January, 2015…and is said to have come from one of the Beam family’s oldest whiskey recipes. The nose has good spices, with clove, allspice, and vanilla balanced by a nice oakiness and touches of molasses and brown sugar. The taste has a good spicy kick of black pepper and clove, along with oak, vanilla, and a hint of honey that comes out as the spices start to fade along with touches of caramel and chocolate. The finish is warm with lingering spices balanced by sweet hints of honey, chocolate, and caramel. It’s good, but I wonder how it would be at cask strength? (February, 2015)