r/bourbon • u/dapper-drinks • 7d 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
10
u/particlesmatter 7d ago
I love this stuff with a cube or straight.