Elijah Craig 12 vs. Sazerac 6

[Megawatt]

I'm thinking of picking up one of the newly-available American whiskies at the LCBO. Two leading contenders are Elijah Craig 12 and Sazerac 6 year old rye. Also there is Buffalo Trace 90 proof. I'm leaning toward Sazerac though it is a bit more expensive than the other two, simply because I've never tried an American straight rye and want to see what all the fuss is about.

What would you do, if you were me?

[DeanSheen]

My order of preference: Saz, BT.

I'm not partial to the EC12 so I don't buy it.

[nor02lei]

I would suggest the opposite and take the EC 12. I know it is a bit unstable in quality but much more taste per buck to my personal taste than the 2 others. And if you happen to get a real good bottle of it, it can be almost as good as bottles that cost 2-3 times as much.

Leif

[jburlowski]

Seems like you're set on the rye (which is fine). Of the two bourbons, I'd rank the BT and EC12 in that order. YMMV

[smokinjoe]

Glad to hear your bourbon selection is finally getting better for ya'll up North. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them, but the Saz is really special, IMO. I'd go with that. Enjoy!

:toast:

[ILLfarmboy]

My order of preference: Saz, BT.

I'm not partial to the EC12 so I don't buy it.

Ditto...........

[ebo]

I guess I'm the odd man out. EC 12 is my pick of the lot. It's one of my favorites. As they say... different strokes.............

[OscarV]

I guess I'm the odd man out. EC 12 is my pick of the lot. It's one of my favorites. As they say... different strokes.............

[QUOTE][/QUOTE]

I'm with you, also the 1992 EC18yo's are awesome.

[cowdery]

Those are three good whiskeys and I would characterize the recommendations as personal preferences. If you've never had an American straight rye there in the land of a very different kind of rye whiskey, you should give it a go, but I think you'll find it much closer to bourbon than to anything you can buy in Canada. An FYI, BT and Saz are from the same distillery.

[straightwhiskeyruffneck]

i'd have a hard time picking 'tween buffalo trace and elijah craig 12yr old. i'd probably go for the sazerac rye

[cowdery]

This discussion is making me want to go get all three.

[Megawatt]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I followed my gut and went with Sazerac. Wonderful, wonderful stuff. It is a new experience for me, straight rye. I knew as soon as I nosed it from the bottle that it was different and I would like it. For a 6 year old, 90 proof whisky it is dangerously drinkable. I couldn't get over the aroma of fresh dill on the nose. The middle flavours are similar to bourbon as the oak takes over but the entry and finish are new and exciting to me. I'll work on complete notes tonight, perhaps.

And yes, it is nice to finally have more American whiskey options! For a long time it was a choice between Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark, and occasionally Jim Beam Black and Bulleit.

[urotsukidoji]

I'm also an Ontario trapped buyer.... do as I do, get them all when you can, because they'll be gone in a month.

[bvscfanatic]

My vote is for the EC12. One of my very top favorites. Buffalo Trace is a fine bourbon, but not among my top favorites. The Sazerac really didn't blow me away either. I'd take Elijah Craig over either of them any day. But that doesn't mean you'll agree.

[darkluna]

Kind of a strange either/or choice, honestly...buy one now....buy the other later?

[WIMARIPA]

Go for the saz first, to someone who has only had only Canadian "rye" it will be totally new and exciting. Try it neat, try it in an old fashioned or manhattan, compare it to the Canadian stuff. I envy the excitement of the new discovery you'll be making.

After that get the Buffalo Trace. It is my favorite bourbon for its price.

[Megawatt]

Go for the saz first, to someone who has only had only Canadian "rye" it will be totally new and exciting. Try it neat, try it in an old fashioned or manhattan, compare it to the Canadian stuff. I envy the excitement of the new discovery you'll be making.

After that get the Buffalo Trace. It is my favorite bourbon for its price.

Quite right, I did find it new and exciting, though after a few days it started to remind me more and more of bourbon. I should now get Elijah Craig and, say, Crown Royal and note the difference between the three styles.

[cowdery]

Quite right, I did find it new and exciting, though after a few days it started to remind me more and more of bourbon. I should now get Elijah Craig and, say, Crown Royal and note the difference between the three styles.

Exactly. Especially as compared to Canadian rye, American straight rye tastes like bourbon. Blame the new charred oak barrel.

[Megawatt]

Exactly. Especially as compared to Canadian rye, American straight rye tastes like bourbon. Blame the new charred oak barrel.

I do wonder to what extent the new oak rule limits straight whiskey. Does the charred barrel taste not trample over some more subtle flavours, perhaps? Does it not give otherwise different straight whiskies a very similar signature?

[cowdery]

I do wonder to what extent the new oak rule limits straight whiskey. Does the charred barrel taste not trample over some more subtle flavours, perhaps? Does it not give otherwise different straight whiskies a very similar signature?

'To limit' is why there are rules. On the other hand, distillers may make anything they wish. The rules don't limit what they can make, just what they can call it.