Sazerac Rye

Tasting: First neat from rocks glass, then with ice added. Nose (3.0): A bit lacking. I got some oak and white pepper with a bit of vanilla in the background. Palate (3.5): Straightforward first alcohol and then heat. Mellowed out to a bit of cteam soda. Pepper still stayed there. It was ok, and I think would hold up to most mixed drinks. Finish: (3.25) It mellows out but for the lower proof is medium lasting. A bit minty and still spicy. Sometimes a bit medicinal Ice does little for the taste other than tempers the heat and kills the flavor. All and all this is an OK rye. For 22.00 a bottle I would keep it around as a manhattan mixer.

smooth, spicy, not too oaky

I feel like I've been saying this a lot lately, but this is another solid offering from Buffalo Trace. These guys never seem to let me down. I get heavy notes of apple cider on the nose, which carries through to the palate and the finish. I find that very enjoyable, especially at this time of year. I also get a strong black pepper note on the palate, and maybe a little cinnamon. On the finish, it's more of the apple cider taste and feel, along with the black pepper. Despite the strength of these flavors, I still get the classic rye bite on the finish to remind me what I am drinking. There isn't much else to say about this one. It's a solid rye at a very reasonable price. Definitely worth keeping in a rotation if you're a rye drinker.

Excellent on the rocks.