Sazerac Rye 18 Year (Fall 2013)

NOTE: tasting Fall 2011 The 2011 bottling is good but doesn't live up to the hype; I can't comment on later versions. Don't misunderstand, I enjoyed it but wouldn't pay secondary market prices. It's smooth initially but then becomes almost immediately harsh with some burn and plenty of spice. The finish is unremarkable, with notes of licorice and medicinal flavors. My scoring system: 1 - I'm giving this drink away 2 - I'll use it for mixing, but it's not enjoyable on its own 3 - Enjoyable, but I'm open to trying something else 4 - Very good; if it's available on the shelf or menu, I'm purchasing it 5 - Perfection; this drink is worthy of collecting

Editor's note: I possess the 2010 release, which I kept for 4 years before opening. During that time, I stored it improperly for about a year, and the bottle survived a house fire. Yet still... a strong rye aroma with a smooth and oily texture and a long finish, offering a perfect balance between wood and whiskey for an 18 year old. You can call me biased or sentimental, but I'm awarding this 5 stars simply because it remains so incredibly good despite all the hardship it endured, much like my Samantha.

My favorite spirit so far. Smooth, just sweet enough to be captivating, yet bold enough to clearly signal you're drinking a robust spirit.

I'm not a big fan of rye, but this was suggested because it was smooth and lacked that initial malt taste. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

A burn is noticeable at first but fades rapidly. Plenty of fruit and wood notes with a touch of smoke. Hints of pepper, cinnamon, and vanilla. Leaves your mouth feeling dry.

Huge difference compared to their entry-level expression. All rough edges have been smoothed out. A beautiful sipping rye, truly a rye lover's rye.