Paradox Posted July 18, 2004 Share Posted July 18, 2004 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… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boone Posted July 18, 2004 Share Posted July 18, 2004 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wadewood Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boone Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeNell Posted July 22, 2004 Share Posted July 22, 2004 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff Posted July 26, 2004 Share Posted July 26, 2004 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cas Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Weber Posted October 6, 2004 Share Posted October 6, 2004 Bettye Jo,I will be happy to buy you some Sazerac 18!Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paradox Posted October 6, 2004 Author Share Posted October 6, 2004 I'll take one too Ken, my 2003 has less than about 1/2" left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_in_Canada Posted October 6, 2004 Share Posted October 6, 2004 Is Ken taking orders? Put my name on that list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc_mcCabe Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 I found a bottle of this yesterday at Binny's Express here on the South Side and snatched it up immediately. I've been looking for it for a while. Having just finished a rather intimate experience with the Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye (see my post under that heading), I was eager to compare the Sazerac. While the nose was spectacular (reminding me of summer winds in Provence, France, where herbs and citrus sea air waft everywhere), I thought the finish was a tad too woody. I was still mightily impressed, but compared to the VWFRR I didn't enjoy it as much. I wish I could try a younger Sazerac, maybe a 12 year or even younger. Overall this 18 year may be just "over the hill." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 My understanding is that there is a soon to be released 6yo Sazerac rye in the works, sometime this fall I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobA Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 I'll be very happy if this is so. Probably hard for me to find (the 18 was), but it's certain to be worth it (the 18 was).Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedmans Brorsa Posted June 18, 2005 Share Posted June 18, 2005 My understanding is that there is a soon to be released 6yo Sazerac rye in the works, sometime this fall I believe. I, too, thought the 18yo was way too woody (lovely nose, though, as doc points out) so I´m really looking forward to this younger expression.Hopefully it won´t be as much of a headache to track down as Stagg has proven to be for us non-Americans. Here´s hoping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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