Thomas H. Handy - Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey - 2013 Release Limited Edition Antique Collection - 128.4 Proof Buffalo Trace (750ml)

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Producer	Thomas H. Handy
Country	United States
Region	Kentucky
Style	Rye
Sku	6402
Size	750ml

*This bottle is a collector's item

Named after the New Orleans bartender who first used rye whiskey in the Sazerac Cocktail, this uncut and unfiltered Straight Rye Whiskey is bottled directly from the barrel, just as it was over a century ago. Full of rich flavors, this authentic American rye whiskey is a symbol of the timeless history of New Orleans and the legacy of Thomas H. Handy.

The Sazerac. No introduction needed. It’s a classic among classics. And this banging Rye from Buffalo Trace is made exactly like it was a 100 years ago in New Orleans, right where the Sazerac was first poured. The 2013 release of the Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey is, like previous editions, the youngster of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, being a mere six years old and has been bottled un-cut and unfiltered.

The Nose:  A touch reserved at first, for a rye whiskey, this is not an overwhelmingly rye-filled nose. It’s quite sweet and fruity initially with rich, dark brown sugar, butterscotch, stewed stone fruits, and even a bit of cherry pie. The rye has a distinct but subtle dryness to it, more like a rye flour cracker or stale bread than a fresh rye loaf. Subtler hints of nutty chocolate brownies, vanilla bean, and cinnamon, with wisps of clove and mint well in the background. Adding water brings out a lot more bread-y rye character while toning down the fruit sweetness. The spices gain a bit more complexity as well.

The Palate:  Hot stuff! Initially full of caramel, cherry juice and sweet oranges, the high alcohol content and rushing spiciness make this one a mild challenge without water. Notes of burnt toffee, orgeat syrup, and now-more-prevalent spicy rye barely emerge above big, tannic, drying waves of cut oak, clove, vanilla, coarse cinnamon, and candied ginger. Water definitely helps to slow things down, letting that nutty sweetness breathe a little, and bringing out more toasty rye notes. Even with quite a bit of water, there’s a big swell of tannic, spicy wood towards the end, but it’s a little more manageable now.

The Finish:  Longish, a little dusty, and drying and/or numbing. It’s hard to tell what’s the tannic oak and clove here and what’s the high proof. Water certainly helps tone it down a bit, and lets a little rye linger on as well.