Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye (Fall 2021)

This marks my initial experience truly engaging with a particular spirit, and it's quite an accurate description in multiple respects, but we shall proceed. Nose - After a generous 30 minutes in the glass, what initially presented as subtle winter greenery and festive spices has evolved into notes of oak funk and sweet, spiced aromas. The high alcohol content prompts a strong sneeze when delving deeper. It possesses a clean sweetness, with faint traces of youth evident here and there, but overall, it's a remarkably polished, intensely rye-forward, sweet powerhouse. Taste - I'll begin with my ultimate conclusion. This is a massive, palate-coating, bold whiskey that lingers with spice for an extended period, unapologetically so. This is precisely why one might consider it a worthy member of the BTAC collection. But how does it achieve this status, and does it possess the necessary refinement for BTAC inclusion? To determine this, I'm adding water before examining the tasting notes. Brown sugar and a sharp rye spice yield to tart oak and further spice. The addition of water has revealed these more extreme flavor profiles, previously masked by the profound sweetness and the ultra-high proof. Adding more water softens the creamy mouthfeel, introducing more assertiveness, bitterness, and generally more intense, divisive characteristics. My mouth remains coated, and my senses are operating at maximum capacity. I recognize that whiskey often evokes flavor memories, and those are certainly present here. Various spices, sugars, oak, and unconventional elements converge to craft a complete and opulent experience. I believe this is the appeal of this particular whiskey; it's not about the epic qualities of aged, refined Scotch or perfectly balanced bourbon. Instead, it's a powerful jolt that leaves you astonished by its intensity and flavor impact. For me, it achieves this with enough polish to maintain my keen interest. Rated 3.5 out of 5. I would gladly purchase this at its suggested retail price and would even pay an additional fifty dollars to own a bottle.

Consumed neat from a bar pour. This is the last of the BTAC collection I haven't tried, having recently sampled Sazerac 18 and Eagle Rare 17. I'm eager to try this one, as the previous two were disappointing. On the nose, the initial impression is underwhelming yet pleasant. It's been a year of exceptional ryes, though. Wow, I spoke too soon. There's an amazing note here, like pure honeycomb with a hint of pistachio. Bright, inviting vanilla combines with glaze donuts. So, disregard the underwhelming comment. It's growing on me. The rye notes are somewhat earthy and reminiscent of a barnyard, like fresh haystacks in the morning. Now I'm thinking about cinnamon rolls and sweet cream frosting. A delightful, dessert-like rye. On the palate, the mouthfeel is syrupy and viscous, coating the entire tongue. I'm detecting cinnamon and eucalyptus, initially even a bit drying. The rye significantly intensifies beyond what the nose suggested. That honey note is prominent and the main focus. Looking back, it strongly resembles rye toast, slightly charred, but drenched in butter and honey. After swallowing, the honey coats the mouth and slowly trickles down the throat. I'm absolutely loving this finish right now. The spice and rye are present and constant, with a white pepper note on the finish behind the honey. With subsequent sips, the eucalyptus becomes more dominant, almost transforming into an agave flavor. Very enjoyable. So, if I were to rank the BTAC selection now (acknowledging it's difficult to compare across different years versus a single tasting, so this is overall from the batches I've had) - #1 WLW, #2 GTS, #3 Handy, #4 Saz 18, #5 ER17. This was an amazing pour, but... if I obtained another bottle, I think I would still trade it. It's amazing, but not unique enough to justify the premium price.

Nose- Dominant notes include baker's chocolate, maple syrup, and mint. It's crisp and inviting. Palate- Tastes of Luden's cherry cough drop, oak, a little maple syrup (less prominent than on the nose), baker's chocolate, cardamom, and a wonderful earthy umami. It becomes slightly bitter at the very end, but this isn't a flaw; it's just a bit unconventional, which I appreciate. It has a finish that lasts for an extended period. It warms you gradually without any harsh alcohol burn. This is a fantastic finish, and the strength of this spirit is surprisingly potent. Overall- Among the top five rye spirits I've encountered. For comparison, my highest-rated is the 2004 Vanwinkle Family Estate Rye (pre-vatted). I also slightly prefer the 2018 Thomas Handy, which was a bit sweeter, but this is in that same category. This is a standout rye from 2021.

The aroma is incredible! It tastes rich and sweet with a noticeable, yet mild smokiness. I detect subtle notes of rye, oak, cherry, honey, leather, and toasted marshmallow. The alcohol content is a bit high for me, but it's nicely balanced, allowing me to drink it in small sips. I enjoy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey, and this has some clear similarities, but feels much richer and more sophisticated.

Aroma - Reminiscent of dessert, with notes of cinnamon, pecan pie, orange peel, and vanilla. It's fantastic. Taste - Remarkable. The nose translates directly to the palate, featuring all the same flavors. There's a subtle increase in rye spice compared to the aroma. The balance is superb. Overall - Astonishingly smooth given the proof. An exceptionally long finish with great body. It possesses every desirable quality you could wish for.

Aroma: tannic oak, vanilla, cinnamon, with hints of floral and citrus. Palate: Overwhelming cinnamon. Sweet and spicy cinnamon, like hard candy. The floral note is also present. Finish: Long and pleasantly spicy. I really enjoy this pour.