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My rye experience is admittedly weak. Heck, I wasn't even sure. I would care for it at all considering until recently I leaned more towards wheaters and low rye bourbon.
The two I know I like are in totally different classes though, Saz 18 and Bulleit Rye.
But this got me to thinking about Baby Saz which is more comparably aged (as far I know) and priced (at least here in NJ), so I was wondering how you thought the two stacked up.
Go get yourself a Baby Saz at the earliest opportunity. It's just plain wonderful.
My rye experience is also somewhat scant but I don't think you can go wrong with Baby Saz. I like the Bulleit ok, but it's in its own little zone, not much like what I'd consider to be a traditional rye. Haven't had the Saz 18 but I'm a big fan of the mighty, mighty Handy and I think the Baby Saz holds up respectably.
Let us know what you discover.
Cheers!
What he said! Baby Saz is very good. Bulleit and the other LDI-sourced ryes are unique due to their very high (95%) rye content. Saz is softer, but there's no mistaking it for anything but a rye. You might also consider WTR 101 if you can still find it in your area. It leans a little more to the bourbon side than the other two, but still offers that great rye kick on the finish.
NJ is so far a very Rye challenged State. The only regularly stocked Rye is Beam in most places, though the Bulleit is showing up more and the Baby Saz seems to appear a couple of bottles at a time. One place got Redemption, but that is (if I have my facts straight) just LDI aged half as long as the the Bulleit, but costs more. No WT (not even the lower proof), no Russel Reserve, no Pikesville... you get the idea.Quote:
Originally Posted by mosugoji64
I'm hopeful that Beam can get Knob Creek Rye on the shelves here, but at nearly twice the price of the Bulleit, I am only cautiously optimistic right now.
In that case I would say that Baby Saz and Bulleit are excellent examples. The Saz will give you what I think most would consider a typical rye profile while Bulleit will provide the extreme version. Start with Saz and enjoy the journey!
Excellent advice. Go with the Baby Saz, don't overthink it. It is much beloved here, and for good reason. The Saz is a sort of benchmark. Get to know this stuff before you complicate matters too much. I can almost guarantee that you will love it.Quote:
Originally Posted by mosugoji64
Cheers!
That said, the only Saz 18 and both THHandy's I have I found in NJ, just sitting on the shelf. Never saw one up here; always allocated. I think it is just luck ... right place, right time.Quote:
Originally Posted by JayMonster
I've never tried the Baby Saz either, but last fall I picked up the Saz 18 and THHandy (2011 editions) - and while I LOVED the Handy, I was unimpressed with the Saz 18 (at least at that price point). Because of that, I've steered away from the Baby Saz thinking that it would be similar to the Saz 18 but maybe even (gasp) lighter or smoother. I prefer bourbon over rye, but enjoy several other ryes (RR 6 yr, Willet 4 yo). Maybe the 2011 Saz 18 was an off year?
The Saz is the way to go. Bulliet tastes like mouthwash to me.. Lots of int.
That is interesting. I nearly swore off all Heaven Hill products because my one (and only) bottle of EW Black tasted like Scope. But I got literally NO minty taste on the Bulleit Rye... at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by cigarnv