Nose attacks with delightful, tantalizing maple along with creamy coffee.  Some coconut.  A syrupy, sweet, and super-enticing nose -- which makes the palate a disappointment in contrast. It's just mostly unremarkable, rather plain and... well just not much is there. It's what lots of people might call "smooth" but I just call mostly flavorless. Then the finish hits -- and suddenly all the spice and tastyness I was hoping for emerges in a controlled but great way. Not what the nose advertised, a sort of cinnamon-cocoa-ginger thing, along with some Japanese-restaurant tea (you know, the tea they give you when you don't specify what kind of tea you want). Dries out quickly, but not overwhelmingly or badly so -- this barrel must have spent the bulk of its time on lower floors to keep the oak this in-check.  Altogether, it's hard not to like this -- it's very drinkable and not without notable delicious aspects -- but the palate itself underperforms. It's a great sipper that does open up and change as the night goes on, and I'd be happy to own a bottle at a cheaper price.  Great choice if you're looking for a rye or bourbon that's pleasing yet not too involving (oh, and expensive).  (Barrel no. 17)