Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye (Fall 2019)

For my 150th tasting, I’m happy to finally get to try this one. I have the regular Sazerac Rye (baby Saz), which is the same mashbill as this one, just a much lower proof (90 proof). Let’s check out this 6 year old 125.7 proof version of Buffalo Trace’s rye mashbill. The nose has rich baking spices (especially cinnamon and clove) that pop out, followed by caramel, freshly baked bread, light leather, toasted marshmallows, and cooked red apples. Not a ton of rye specific spice coming out in the nose, just the tiniest bit. After the first sip, further nosing bring out this very strange cardboard box note, very weird. The palate is semi-sweet has a rich oily mouthfeel. The rye spice defiantly comes out here along with vanilla, apples, caramel and leather. On later tastings, that cardboard box note I got in the nose becomes present, but like a slightly sour cardboard box. Weird. The finish tingles in the tip and front sides of the tongue with rye and vanilla hanging out for a bit with a slight bitterness on the back end. I really like this one. But that obscure cardboard box note that didn’t become present until after the 1st sip or so is boggling my mind. It doesn’t ruin it for me, but it is very odd and something I’ve never experienced.

Appearance: Like the setting sun reflecting of off polished bronze. Legs are slow to develop. Nose: Subtle notes of peach sun tea, box chocolate cake, cereal, and earthy herbal fragrances hidden under a heavy blanket of cream soda sweetness. Taste: Cinnamon-raisin rye bread uppercuts its way through raw honey and marmelade sweetness. The punch is so fast you don’t have much time to take in the sweetness, but it is so worth it. The rye spice/rye bread dominates within an herbal atmosphere that dries quickly and coats your mouth. Finish: It is quick to finish, but by no means is it a quick finish. The flavors do not disappear, but rather flutter everywhere like fallen leaves in the breeze. The finish more than pleases with a retro-nasal “cherry sours” candy sweetness, fermented cocoa nibs, spices, and mature wood. Dry, but VERY full. Every sip was absolute bliss. Proof is just a number here. No challenge presented by the ABV. I was fortunate to receive a 2oz sample from a generous member of a whiskey group I am a member of. Thank you, KM. An absolute must if fate or fortune provides the opportunity. To date, the best whiskey I have ever tasted.

Fortunate enough to have a 2oz pour of this with some good friends who know A LOT about bourbon and know a lot of people in the industry. When seeing the 2019 I was told this was one of the best years besides the 2014 so he had to buy me a pour. For reference my friend has almost every year of all the BTAC’s in his home bar along with every other “unicorn” you can think of. This was my first foray into the BTAC and I honestly don’t think I’ll ever have a rye as good as this again. The first sip was absolutely HEAVEN! Sweet candy-like with no burn. Spicy rye sits on the palette for quite some time before making me want to go back for more. I don’t how it’s possible to make a whiskey with this proof taste so good. I will most likely never see a bottle of this for retail but if I did I’d buy it in a second. As much as I loved this whiskey, it has ruined all other ryes for me.

The nose is a burst of sweet, fruity rye spice, reminiscent of a very nice mulled wine. Charred oak follows as the whiskey breathes, with a touch of burnt brown sugar, vanilla and molasses sweetness. The palate is a burst of sweet peppery rye spice the sends the mouth tingling, all while being wonderfully chewy. Dry oak underlines the whole experience with sweeter notes coming out at the end to soothe how spicy this rye is with butterscotch and honey. The finish is medium long with a chewy rye spice that sticks with you alongside a long lasting chewy, dry oak. This is massive and bold, all while keeping relatively simple. Each sip is an experience in the strongest of rye.

Nose- caramel, maple syrup, cardamom, dark chocolate, rye spice, polished leather, cinnamon buns Palate- Maple syrup, caramel, dill, wood spice, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, herbal-vegetal note right before the finish Finish- Long, drying and chewy finish with notes of rye spice, caramel, and cinnamon This is the definition complex. So. Many. Notes. Both on nose and palate I get countless smells and flavors that would be too long to list. THH is impressive as ever for me due to the color, complexity, and overall deliciousness from less than 7 years of aging. 2019 in particular is my favorite that ive tried of the batch

A double from the White House in Aspen Very sweet on the nose (in a pleasant way). Totally unique. My first impression is a dryness on the lips. Long pleasant burn after finish, retaining a dry filmy feeling on the roof of my mouth. It’s flat across the pallet, with the primary flavor being white grapes on the back of the pallet. There are hints of woody, spicy, rye flavor too. If I chew it I get the Carmel flavor I like from higher proof bourbons, but it’s accompanied by some bitterness. Overall, I’m glad I tried it, but won’t do it again.