Sazerac Rye

Very nice

Smell: It has quite a complex smell and multiple notes hit at the same time whereas other whiskies usually kind of "cycles" from note to note. You get camphor, green cardamom, caramel, honey, green apples, cloves, cinnamon, cream, peach (?). Maybe some maple? Definitely smells like a rye, even though it's a barely legal one apparentley (51%). WITH WATER: No apparent change except it appears to smell less sweet and I detect the barrel char. Taste: Follows the nose quite well. You get the caramel, honey, green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, green apples, artificial cherry (and a little camphor) and peaches. Really well balanced but nothing surprising or "amazing". WITH WATER: Not much changes, the flavors just get a little bit more muted and it's a little less sweet. Do not add water. Finish: Quite creamy in the finish with cream-y notes, vanilla, cloves, apples, black pepper and oak. Maybe some orange zest in there, not sure. Nice decently long finish. Mouthfeel: Medium to light with decent oiliness. Overall: It's just a very nicely balanced rye. It's sweet and spicy, as you'd expect from a pleasant rye. It doesn't shock nor wow, but it's very solid. Definitely a really good value proposition, even if it's quite overpriced up here in Canada compared to its price down south.