Johnnie Walker High Rye, 45%

Graham cracker aromas with plenty of up-front spiciness, scents of light vanilla, peanut shells, cinnamon, nutmeg, peppercorn, and toasted-grain bread. Sampled neat, there's lemon, honeydew, golden syrup, dried banana, ground pepper, clove, hazelnut nougat, and flashes of malt. The spices get pretty feisty, so water or ice helps. With 60% rye in the blend, this has the potential to stand up with standard straight rye whiskeys.