My goal for the coming year is to go back to some of these spirits I reviewed with a novice palate and give them the treatment they deserve now that the tastebuds (and sniffer) have a little experience. I've done this with a few already (I'm looking at you Rittenhouse, OldFo, and Bernheim) and today it's Sazerac's turn... NOSE: Dry and Dusty. Light Dill. Mint. Juicy Fruit Gum. Some Vanilla and Oak with a light Floral note Creeping in. A pretty good jolt of alcohol as well. NEAT: Buttery and Lightly Oily Mouthfeel. Mildly Spicy. Loaded with flavor. Oak, Dill, Clove, Mint, Black Pepper, Cinnamon and Honey. Lightly Astringent but not to the point of being unpleasant. A little Bite on the finish with a Minty/Cinnamony Tingle and Fall'ish Spices coating and lingering. SPLASH: Brings out a Black Licorice note on the nose and really accentuates the Clove on the palate. Also adds some Lemon Peel to both. VERDICT: Maybe a little better than I remember it being. In this $30 range, it definitely bests the Bulleit Rye and rivals the Rittenhouse (though I find the two of them to be completely different profiles). This is a BT product, so sightings are rare here in NC. I'm very surprised that this is a barely legal 51% Rye based on all the Clove, Mint and Dill I pull out of it. It drinks almost like a 95/5. Very reminiscent of the old High West Double Rye which I called almost Gin Like. I regret passing on it the last couple of times I've seen it, and am very glad I picked it up this time. 4 Stars