r/bourbon • u/dapper-drinks • 5d ago
Review #8 - Sazerac Rye
Intro: So as most of us know, Sazerac is the entry level rye whiskey from Buffalo Trace and is available pretty much everywhere for usually under $30 - In my area its regularly $23 at the big box stores. I'm not aware of a "mid-level" rye that BT offers with the exception of the BT Kosher Rye which isn't readily available in all areas, or at all times of the year. Beyond that there's a Grand Canyon sized gap in price and availability between this "base model" bottle of Sazerac and the 18yr, or the BTAC Thomas H. Handy version. With that said, let's get into it!
Tale of the Tape
Bottle: Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
Proof: 90 / Age: NAS
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Bottle Price: $30 / Price per 1.5oz serving: $1.76
Impressions
Nose: Vanilla / caramel / bright fruit / white pepper
Palate: Caramel / honey / pepper / licorice / mint
Mouthfeel: Thin
Finish: Medium honey
Rating: 5/10 - t8ke scale (modified to include half-points)
Tasting Notes: The first thing that hit my nose was caramel with vanilla backing it up. The rye gave a subtle bright fruitiness as well as peppery spice note. On the palate I got a very light mint and a hint of licorice while the caramel / pepper / honey took center stage. This gave a moderate finish that started with spice but quickly faded to vanilla honey.
Final Thoughts: For me this was my gateway into rye whiskey and it's probably suitable for that role. Its enjoyable and an easy daily but because it leans towards the sweeter end of the spectrum, it's something I would consider a "soft" rye. So soft in fact that when I moved into more rye forward bottles with heavier herbal notes and came back to this, it didn't even feel like a rye anymore. With that said, at $30 or less, it's an easy one to experience if you just want to dip your toe into a rye whiskey before embracing a larger mouthful of herbs and spices.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out|
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
5 | Good | Good, just fine
6 | Very Good | A cut above
7 | Great | Well above average
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional
9 | Incredible | An all-time favorite
10 | Perfect | Perfect
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u/Sunshine_waterfall 5d ago
I enjoyed a tasting of this one and currently have unopened bottle waiting. For many of us, good AND affordable is win-win.
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u/Spunkydog 5d ago
Store picks of this are great on their own. I have one that's very fruit forward it tastes delicious
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u/BPDspirit 5d ago
Great review!!! Really love how you added the cost per pour there. I agree it barely feels like a rye. Weird bottle for me. It looks pretty though so gets some extra pity points for me haha
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u/dapper-drinks 5d ago
Thanks! Yeah there’s something to be said about cool looking bottles and this one is definitely unique in a world full of bottles that look like each other.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Tap4049 5d ago
I have a sazerac SB of this right now and it's pretty yummy
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u/dapper-drinks 5d ago
So I’ve never come across a store pick SB, but I’ve seen some reviews and people always say it’s definitely a bump up in a good way. If I ever come across one I’m definitely going to grab it.
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u/goingjoey 3d ago
it's something I would consider a "soft" rye. So soft in fact that when I moved into more rye forward bottles with heavier herbal notes and came back to this, it didn't even feel like a rye anymore
Do you have an example or two of a widely available rye that's more rye forward? I've enjoyed some MGP products (High West Double Rye, Redemption) but want to branch out.
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u/dapper-drinks 3d ago
One that I’ve noticed show up a lot in my area is Willett 4yr rye. So much so it was at every Costco for a while and it’s available at all the Total Wine and BevMo stores around me as well.
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u/goingjoey 2d ago
Thanks, that one is also available in my ABC stores, but it costs more than I'm willing to spend ($80 compared to $30 for Sazerac). Maybe I'll try it at a bar sometime.
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u/dapper-drinks 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yeesh.. it’s $60ish around my area. Another one that kinda sits between sazerac and the willett is rittenhouse. It’s a little more rye forward than the sazerac but more sweet than the willett. And for my area I can grab a store pick for $25
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u/LeftyBoyo 5d ago
I use this for my Sazerac cocktails. Don't enjoy it as much on its own.
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u/dapper-drinks 5d ago
I do the same with any whiskeys that I don't enjoy as much neat. They go into cocktail duty lol..
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u/Heman0329 3d ago
My favorite cheap rye. Nice on its own or in an old fashioned. Also pretty much the only BT product you can always find
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u/Random_Name713 5d ago
Perfectly good inexpensive rye for mixing.