Sazerac or Thomas Handy?

[trumpstylz]

Just wondering- if you had to pick one, which would it be?

[barturtle]

If you mean the regular Saz (known as Saz Jr) I'd go for it, as I can get 3 for the price of Handy. If you mean the Saz 18, I'd got for that, as there aren't many older ryes left, even at that price. In reality, all three is the choice to go with.

[White Dog]

If it's Baby Saz vs. Handy, I'll take Handy any day of the week, especially the 2008 Handy. (Baby Saz has a medicinal finish that I do not enjoy. If I want that price point in Rye, I go with Turkey101 every time.) And yes, I've cut Handy down to Baby Saz proof, and Handy still wins in my book.

If we're talking Saz 18 vs. Handy, it depends on my mood. Saz 18 if I'm feeling contemplative and content, Handy if I'm on edge.

(This should be in the Rye forum, FWIW.)

[bourbon-n00b]

I haven't had the Baby Saz but I wasn't real impressed with the Saz 18 bottle that I had (2007 vintage, IIRC). It was decent enough, but to me it didn't justify the price. A little too subtle for my palate, such as it is at this time.

I'd much rather have the uncut, unfiltered THH any day of the week.

[trumpstylz]

Yeah, sorry, I meant saz 18.

Thanks!

[unclebunk]

We did a side-by-side with 2007 TH Sazerac and 2007 Saz 18 last night. The THS was the hands down winner across the board even when we significantly cut the proof on the Handy. When consumed on its own, I really enjoy Saz 18 but still prefer the THS if given a choice.

[SMOWK]

Handy is FAR better in my book.

[callmeox]

I prefer the wood influence of the 18 over the heat of he THH.

[DeanSheen]

If I had to choose between the two I'd take Handy.

In general I tend to lean more towards BarTurtles suggestion and go with 2 bottles of Baby Saz and money in my pocket.

My bourbon wish list has Handy as a regular production item at a lower price point but that's just day dreaming.

[squire]

I can't compare the two because they are so different. To me old ryes like Sazarac 18 take on an entirely differently character which, until I can find a better term, is somewhat cognac like whereas young ryes like Handy still have the spicey, peppery, wood character of rye whisky.

[JohnHansell]

I agree with Squire. Apples and oranges.

[ShewDawg]

I can't compare the two because they are so different. To me old ryes like Sazarac 18 take on an entirely differently character which, until I can find a better term, is somewhat cognac like whereas young ryes like Handy still have the spicey, peppery, wood character of rye whisky.

I agree with Squire. Apples and oranges.

I agree with these guys. I had a bottle of Sazerac 18 last fall and loved how smooth that was for a Rye while still having a ton of character in it. I just recently had my first taste of Handy and loved the explosion of flavor that overwhelmed my neophyte palate. I would be hard pressed to quantify which one I liked better other than my mood would most likely dictate my preference. It is a great question.

[SMOWK]

I agree that it is comparing apples to oranges. However; if you like oranges more than apples, then...

[callmeox]

I agree that it is comparing apples to oranges. However; if you like oranges more than apples, then...

The question wasn't "are these similar or not"...Come on folks, sack up and pick one. :grin:

[squire]

Oh Hell, get both.

[roostercogburn]

Tough one. Today, I'd say Saz 18.

While I very much like Handy and appreciate that there is nothing like it in the rye market, I have to say I enjoy older ryes more. While Saz 18 may not be the best of those old ryes, it melds sweetness and oak wonderfully and holds a special place in whiskeydom for me.

In a perfect world we'd still have a barrel-proof ultra-aged rye, something like the Willett bottlings that were done a few years ago. Then there wouldn't be so much to debate.

[p_elliott]

I prefer the Saz 18 when you get your palate just right to pick up the woodiness of it, it's fantastic.

[SMOWK]

I've always skipped the Saz18 and bought VWFRR.

[The Boozer]

I've always skipped the Saz18 and bought VWFRR.

Bingo!. Especially since the latest versions of VWFRR are 18-19 years old, thus meet the similar age criteria (apples & apples). The ones A-F are also just as good.

Between THH and Saz 18, THH everytime. Saz 18 just not enough oomph for me.

[White Dog]

I've always skipped the Saz18 and bought VWFRR.

So do I, when I can find VWFRR. I have to hunt for VWFRR, but I can always find some Saz 18, or THH for that matter.

[B.B. Babington]

sales records should settle the question. Saz 18 sells faster. Though I thoroughly enjoy both, Saz 18 has more complexity/interest. Which one would I drink? The one you handed to me.

[trumpstylz]

I've always skipped the Saz18 and bought VWFRR.

Haha. Trust me, if I had access to the van winkle rye, I would have necer posted the question.

[CorvallisCracker]

I prefer the wood influence of the 18 over the heat of he THH.

I'll second that.

Unfortunately, we haven't gotten any Saz 18 here in OR since 2005, whereas we get more Handy than anyone here wants. Thre are four bottles of '09 collecting dust at a local store.

[roostercogburn]

sales records should settle the question. Saz 18 sells faster.

[ErichPryde]

Or maybe you're right: way more people just think it's the better juice.