Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye (Fall 2014)

To finish off my Buffalo Trace series, I have a sample of the 2014 Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye. To start off my tasting, after I had poured the sample, I decided to put my ear to the Glencairn with the Handy in it and low and behold, you can hear the faintest of whimpers coming from flippers/investors crying “No, my precious has been opened!!!” and “Wait, resale value equals blah, blah!!” Oh, what beautiful music to an enthusiast’s ear, but even though I could listen to that all evening, I decided to discover what the liquid had to offer instead of just some boo hoo tater tears. The nose starts with a decadent pecan pie with slightly burnt crust before moderate forest floor herbs along with dusty barnyard floors then a moderate black peppercorn spice and lightly charred pumpernickel bread followed by mildly sour fruits of Granny Smith apple peel, baked cherry pie and candied lemon peel followed by rich vanilla orange crème brûlée, candied fennel seeds and black licorice with high ethanol burn. The taste is a rich syrupy mouthfeel starting with decadent pecan pie with moderate forest floor herbs before a moderate black pepper spice that slowly fades to freshly baked pumpernickel bread followed by baked cherry pie, sautéed apples and sour lemon hard candy followed by a rich vanilla orange crème brûlée, candied fennel seeds, black licorice and polished mahogany with high ethanol burn. The finish is long with cinnamon apple pie, vanilla orange creme brûlée, dill, cloves, spearmint and dusty barnyard floors. This is a big, bold and bruising rye that’s likely not for everyone as that high proof is evident throughout that brings a rich decadent sweetness to dusty oak, earthy forest rye flavors, toasted bread, sour and creamy citrus and candied rye flavors that has a slightly sour youthfulness to it along with a moderate pepper spice that overpowers much of the flavors on the palate but thankfully eventually fades to allow those rye and citrus notes through and finishes long with a balance of rye, creamy citrus and dusty oak that lingers for minutes after each sip. This is a very delicious high proof rye, but this isn’t blowing me away like a Lock Stock and Barrel 18 year or Barrell Seagrass 16 year did. Side by side with those, this comes across sour and youthful with a high peppery bitter spice whereas the Lock Stock and Barrel 18 year is more refined and polished and the Barrell Seagrass 16 year is richer that manages a better balance with big, bold flavors that, for me, would be a better high proof rye purchase. If someone luckily manages to find this for the MSRP of $100 or even $150, I’d say it’s a great buy, but there’s no need to chase this into the astronomical prices of today.

Brilliant stuff. Nose: Red Apples, Cinnamon, Milk Chocolate, Christmas Cakes, Oranges, Figs, Red Chili Peppers, Jalapeños, Bananas, Maple Syrup, Honey, Treacle, Coconuts Palate: Red Apples, Cloves, Oranges, Cherries, Big Red Gum, Nutmeg, Cloves, Treacle, Licorice, Dill, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Oranges, Christmas Cakes Finish: Treacle, Cloves, Big Red Gum, Bananas, Honey, Maple Syrup, Mocha, Cherry Cola

Had been sitting on this bottle for several years, finally opened it with friends over the holidays - two of whom love TH over any other whiskey. Now I know what all the hype is about - so sweet with just the right amount of spice & heat and a finish that just went on and on. Tried it with a couple drops of water as well but frankly all three of us preferred it neat.

Seems different on the nose than other Handy bottles I've had. Strong alcohol sting, with an interesting watermelon/rubber note. On the palate, floral and fruity. Unmistakably a rye. Sweet, but a pleasant bitterness on the finish. Smoother than the nose and proof suggest. 8/2/18

Its a little hot for me but I put a piece of ice in and it really exploded for me. I totally agree with the Malted milk chocolate. I am also picking up smoked caramel. Top 5 all time for me.

Bold and complex. Opens with a strong yet enjoyable port taste, with hints of grape and citrus. Finishes with a smooth combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla