Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey - Bottled Fall 2003

[Paradox]

I’ve been meaning to do a tasting on last years 2003 release of Sazerac and after some discussion this morning I got out the pen and paper a little bit ago and got to drinking.

Name: Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Info: Unlike previous versions, this one does not contain any distillation info, just a bottled on area which says “Fall 2003”

Distillery: Distilled, aged and bottled by Sazerac Company, Frankfort, KY. <Buffalo Trace Distillery>

Cost: $42.99

Proof: 90 Proof, (45% Alcohol by Volume).

Bottle: Round, tall skinny bottle with a rather thin neck that is about 4” high. The same bottle is/was also used for Weller 19, Eagle Rare 17, Eagle Rare Single Barrel 10yo and George T. Stagg.

Color: Copper with a light honey glow around the edges.

Nose: Very inviting, not too overpowering and not too light. I get an almost ‘floral’ bouquet from it. After writing these notes up, I ran a search to see what others have thought of Sazerac and come to find it I am not the only one who though it was ‘floral’. (Thank God! )

Taste: Spicy up front but with no real burn in the mouth. It’s a very nice warm mellow spice that compliments the nose very much.

Finish: After the spice subsides a bit that floral type aroma comes back as well as a bit of mint. Quite dry as well…

Overall: I really like this year’s release of Sazerac. I have had another one in the past (I think an 01’) and for some reason I seem to like this one better. In the past I always had preferred VWFRR a little bit more, but after having a new bottle of VWFRR a few weeks back and this Sazerac I prefer the Sazerac. It just goes to show how each release can change from year to year, so always be willing to try a different release if one year you found it to be just a little ‘off’. You never know how things may change…

[boone]

Good Job Mark

Spicy up front but with no real burn in the mouth.

That quote...convinced me that I would like it Not that I would buy it but I know that I would like it

Bettye Jo

[wadewood]

I previously compared Sazerac Rye, Fall 2003 with Elijah Craig 18 YO. I described both as floral. If you have an open bottle of EC 18YO, try these side by side.

[boone]

I thought that someone said that those two bottlings resemble each other...Thanks for reminding me.

I just love EC 18. Mark, is going to bring me a some of his Sazerac in Sept. We will make a comparison then.

Bettye Jo

[tlsmothers]

Thanks for posting your notes. I sold all my Sazerac and should list in my "regrets" not keeping a bottle back. Looking forward to the next batch around Sept so I can actually drink some.

[jeff]

Nice review Mark

I am really beginning to enjoy bourbons/whiskies with floral notes in the nose and palate. This one is really quite nice and well balanced. One might think that after 18 years, such delicate notes would be overpowered by wood, but the Saz' pulls it all together quite nicely.

[cas]

Just got back from a family vacation that included stops at the Liquor Barn near Lexington, KY and Binnys in the Chicago area (these were not actually scheduled family vacation stops). I managed to pick up a number of bottles not available where I live in SC. They included: Sazerac Rye, Corner Creek, Rowans Creek, Elmer T Lee, Weller Centennial, Black Maple Hill 14, and Hirsch 16. I'm particularly looking forward to a taste of the Sazerac after reading these descriptions. Actually, after driving 3,000 miles with the kids in the back of the van I'm ready for a taste of anything.
Craig

[Ken Weber]

Bettye Jo,
I will be happy to buy you some Sazerac 18!

Ken

[Paradox]

I'll take one too Ken, my 2003 has less than about 1/2" left.

[Dave_in_Canada]

Is Ken taking orders? Put my name on that list