Thomas Handy Sazerac vs. Sazerac 18

[unclebunk]

I had a dilemma today and wondered what the rest of you would have done in my situation. I happened upon a liquor store with excellent prices on many bourbons (Pappy 15 for $37!!) and ryes. I was torn between getting the Thomas Handy Sazerac Rye (132.7 proof) and the Sazerac 18 (90 proof). Having never sampled either of them, I couldn't decide between high octane on the one hand and age on the other. The Handy Sazerac oddly had no age statement but surely must be chock full flavor at 132 proof. The Sazerac 18 is only 90 proof (pretty much as low as I like to go) but after 18 years in the barrel must have tons of extraordinary flavor as well. I loved Baby Saz, Rittenhouse BIB and Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye but am dying to try these Sazeracs. Each one cost $51 and I couldn't afford both, so I ended up leaving empty handed until I could get some feedback from you folks. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

[funknik]

When faced with the same decision, I picked the Handy and was not disappointed.

[OscarV]

Hey Uncle, as far as the Handy and the Saz 18 goes.
Get the first release of the Saz 18.
How do you identify it?
Beats me, maybe someone will chime in.

[SBOmarc]

I have enjoyed both and can't say anything bad about Saz 18.
I would still buy the Handy.

[Rughi]

...
Get the first release of the Saz 18.
How do you identify it?
Beats me, maybe someone will chime in.

I think it has the year 2000 hand written on the label.

Roger

[Virus_Of_Life]

I think it has the year 2000 hand written on the label.

Roger

Sorry if I wasn't supposed to find that funny, but I didn't know if the question nor the answer were supposed to be serious so it just hit me as pretty damn funny! Yes, I think you are right Roger the first Sazerac18 year has a bottle date of 2000 on it.

And IIRC, the 132.7 proof Handy was the first release, 2006. Yes, I just checked my bunker and it is. I'd buy it, I'd buy all of it they have for that matter. I understand the budget dilemma so given the choice of Handy or Saz18 at $51, I'd go Handy especially the first issue.

And Pappy15 at $37?!? I'm sorry, but you gotta get the credit card out on that one! You will not find it at that price for long and I really fear that is 1/2 of what it will be going for in the near future.

[Rughi]

Sorry if I wasn't supposed to find that funny, but I didn't know if the question nor the answer were supposed to be serious so it just hit me as pretty damn funny! Yes, I think you are right Roger the first Sazerac18 year has a bottle date of 2000 on it.

My memory wasn't so clear on it myself, and my bottle is in the part of the bunker that's not easy to access, so I wasn't in any hurry to dig it out. On second reading, I think Oscar may have meant the first era of Saz 18, not just the first year. I think that the VW rye and the old Saz were each blended with Medley whiskey and tanked the same year, so this spreadsheet and the link in the post by Steve should be helpful.

Anyway, from my faulty memory, these are the years for the BTACs

2000- Stagg
2000- ER "17"
2000-2003 Saz "18" First Era
2000-2004 Weller "19" (never seen an 03 or 04)

2004- Saz "18" Second Era
2005- Larue
2006- Handy

2009-Ridgemont Reserve Barrel Proof
2009-Fleischmann's Barrel Proof Rye
2009- Very Very Olde Barton Bond (8yo)

Okay, some of that is wishful thinking.

Roger

[barturtle]

My memory wasn't so clear on it myself, and my bottle is in the part of the bunker that's not easy to access, so I wasn't in any hurry to dig it out. On second reading, I think Oscar may have meant the first era of Saz 18, not just the first year. I think that the VW rye and the old Saz were each blended with Medley whiskey and tanked the same year, so this spreadsheet and the link in the post by Steve should be helpful.

Anyway, from my faulty memory, these are the years for the BTACs

2000- Stagg
2000- ER "17"
2000-2003 Saz "18" First Era
2000-2004 Weller "19" (never seen an 03 or 04)

2004- Saz "18" Second Era
2005- Larue
2006- Handy

2009-Ridgemont Reserve Barrel Proof
2009-Fleischmann's Barrel Proof Rye
2009- Very Very Olde Barton Bond (8yo)

Okay, some of that is wishful thinking.

Roger

The first Stagg was 2002
Weller 19 only ran 3 years 2000-2002

[Rughi]

The first Stagg was 2002
Weller 19 only ran 3 years 2000-2002

Yeah, but was I right on the 2009 releases?

[barturtle]

Yeah, but was I right on the 2009 releases?

My crystal ball is out for repair and my soothsayer is on vacation...