Anyone else taste mint in Handy?

[GreggB]

I added a bit of water to the BT Antique Collection barrel proof Thomas H. Handy rye, and was amazed to get a huge minty element in the flavor.

Anyone else notice that?

Where would that come from?

[Pharaoh]

. . . Where would that come from?

The rye...

[GreggB]

OK, thanks. I was just thinking it was much more of a mint element than I have tasted in any other rye, or bourbon or scotch, for that matter.

[GreggB]

I read in Chuck Cowdery's book "Bourbon, straight", on page 206, that a mint flavor can be detected in vintage bourbons aged in barrels made from trees much older than are used today.

I assume that the Handy was not aged in barrels that would impart any special degree of mint flavor.

So if what Pharaoh says is correct, then the mint comes from the rye.

So is the Handy mashbill unusually high in rye?

[ACDetroit]

Just a thought on my part. The Saz 18 has quite a bit of mint in it as well, so I'm sure it's in the mashbill. Now for the other rye's you compare to the Handy none are Barrel Proof so maybe some of the mint in other ryes has been muttled buy the bottle proofing process?
Don't know but it's very up front in both Saz bottles!

Tony

[GreggB]

Hi Tony --

Interesting insights.

I will have to experiment with the Sazerac 18.

Anyone else think the barrel proofs have this mint element?

[DrinkyBanjo]

I had my first sample of this years Handy last night. I found it to be a great pour. I do get the mint in the nose. I also get tea leaves, anyone else? I don't remember anyone raving about this yet but I think this years is excellent.

[jbaker]

I got a lot of Licorice root on the Fall 2007, which I guess I could stretch into a minty-like aroma.

[GreggB]

I have now had the opportunity to try the 2008 Handy, and again with a splash of water it packs quite a whallop of spearmint, actually more than ever, sort of like hitting your mint patch with the weedwhacker, and then falling face-down into the chopped mint stems.

[Gillman]

I agree with that and many have noted similar flavours in straight rye whiskey. I have a feeling that the mint julep, created around bourbon, was meant to restore some of the rye taste that got lost in the corn-heavy mashbill that became the main (not the only) vehicle to make straight whiskey in Kentucky.

Gary