Jack Daniel's Unaged Rye, 40%

Clear as Cave Spring water, a mashbill of 70% rye, “mellowed” by charcoal, and ignorant of barrel-aging. It is white dog-brash: fresh wet grain, trampled grass, and a salty tinge. The spirit is pleasurably smooth and cool, sweet in body with a bitter film of rye spice. A gentlemanly clear spirit that's itching to get into a cocktail; my only real complaint is the price. (This is “a taste of what's to come,” so expect an aged rye to follow.)