Appearance: Wonderful copper red in the bottle, similar to the color of Russian gold in the glass.

First Impression: Corn and rye, a seeming signature from this distillery, which end up smelling like leather, toffee, spices, and mint. You can smell the oaks influence on the whiskey in the peppery scent towards the end. Lots of dark fruit smells at the end as well.

It reminds me of the deeper cognac cellars in France. Nice edge line on the glass when you swirl it and some legs to it. Mint/vanilla comes out more after a while, along with a slight molasses scent. Reminds me of Dutch Kaneel in its spiciness.

Taste: Wonderful heavy mouth feel, it is a sweet fire at full strength. However the fact that you can drink it at that proof and actually like it speaks volumes as to how good it is. There is a definite sweetness to the corn with a wonderful rye sourness to it, the sort of paradoxical effect you get with strawberries and balsamic vinegar (although it taste nothing like that) a sweet smell but then very dry - but not at all astringent like some whiskies. It has the ethereal quality of a fine cognac at the end where it vaporizes at the back of the throat with a pleasing lingering tease. Very long, lingering, finish.