Buffalo Trace Kosher Straight Rye (2020 Release)

To my knowledge I've never had a Kosher whiskey. This will be my first, though I will be reviewing BT's two bourbon releases on time. Not sure what to expect, other than what I know of Sazarec and Col. Taylor Rye. Nose: Black licorice and dill pickle. Black pepper, clove, and nutmeg. Some apple. cherry, and new car leather that signify a Buffalo Trace rye. Vanilla and apricot. Some pistachio. Oak and pumpkin spice. Palate: Apple and cherry carry over. Caramel and vanilla. Dill and black licorice. Black pepper, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. Mint chocolate. Oak. More apricot and pumpkin spice. Finish: Cherry first. Then all of the spices. Black pepper, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg. Dill. Oak. Moderate to long. A bit hot but not off-putting. I checked around the internet, and this isn't too popular. In fact, people really beat this one up. Personally, I feel it holds its own with Sazarec and Col. Taylor at every level. Col. Taylor is the best of the three, but it's double the price. This is better than half as good as the Taylor, and equivalent to Sazarec. It's a bit on the brash side. It embodies many classic rye characteristics, which I happen to enjoy. Yet it's got a distinctly Buffalo Trace flavor. I must note that this has really benefitted with time. I didn't enjoy it all that much when I first cracked the bottle. Overall score is 4.25. I bumped a half star for value. At $40, this is one of the cheaper quality ryes in my market. Not sure if this was a one-off or will remain a core product. If you can find it for this price, it's worth a go.

I received a set of three samples of the various Kosher offerings. I am really curious how this one compares to Sazerac Rye (baby Saz) since it is the same mashbill and similar proof. Let’s check it out. The nose has red apple, raisin, rye spice, leather, caramel, dusty oak, and vanilla icing. The palate is sweet and creamy with red apple, leather, rye spice, vanilla and a pleasant herbal note. The finish is longish with lingering rye, vanilla icing, dried fruit and a slight bitterness. This was very enjoyable. Comparing it to the baby Saz, the Kosher seemed to have a little more depth, rounder edges and a nicer leather note. The Baby Saz was brighter overall and the corn was more noticeable. Also, the Kosher looked slightly darker. I wonder if it is an older product?

Dilly dally. Dill all over this. Nose, especially in the palate. Lingers in the finish. I would think this was a young mgp rye. It really blocks an appreciation of any other flavors in this. Not a fan.

Heat like a rye with some citrus and clove flavor.