After a relaxing holiday and a busy start to 2025, I finally have time for another side-by-side whiskey comparison. I’m diving back into rye whiskey this time with a face-off between Sazerac Rye vs Bulleit Rye whiskey.
Last year, I compared the Woodford Reserve Rye and Jack Daniel’s Rye whiskeys, and it was interesting to see the different rye notes, especially the high rye whiskey versus the lower rye whiskey. I have also explored the differences between the Bulleit bourbon and the Bulleit Rye whiskey to better understand the rye note differences.
Both the Sazerac and the Bulleit Rye releases are straight rye whiskey, but the Bulleit Rye has a higher rye mash bill, at 95%, than the Sazerac Rye, at 51%.
Bulleit Rye Whiskey
Augustus Bulleit produced the first Bulleit bourbon. He wanted to create a bourbon with a unique flavour profile and experimented with varying recipes until he found a whiskey that he was happy with. He created his bourbon, which was available until he died in 1860.
Years later, his great-great-grandson, Tom Bulleit, dreamt of continuing his ancestor’s distilling tradition. In 1987, he created a small-batch bourbon bearing the family name. The bottles are modelled on old-fashioned medicine bottles, with distinctive raised lettering.
Diageo introduced the Bulleit Rye American Frontier whiskey in March 2011. It is made with a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley and produced in small batches.
Sazerac Rye Whiskey
The Sazerac Straight Rye whiskey is named after the Sazerac coffee house in New Orleans, which is deemed the birthplace of the famous Sazerac cocktail. It is produced at the Buffalo Trace distillery. Other brands in the Buffalo Trace portfolio include WL Weller Bourbon, Eagle Rare Bourbon, and Blanton’s Bourbon.
The Sazerac Straight Rye is aged for around 6 years. The Sazerac Rye mash bill is not disclosed, but it is part of BuffaloTrace’s low rye mash bill. It is believed to be made up of approximately 51% rye, 39% corn, and 10% malted barley.
I love the old-school bottle shape, which stands out compared to the other standard bottles on my whiskey shelf.
Sazerac Rye vs Bulleit Rye Whiskey
| Bulleit Rye | Sazerac Rye | |
|---|---|---|
| ABV | 43% | 43% |
| Type | Straight Rye whiskey | Straight Rye whiskey |
| Colour | Light golden caramel | Dark gold with hints of red. |
| Nose | Cherries and vanilla with hints of grain and toasted oak. Subtle rye spices with hints of cinnamon and cloves. | Black pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon. Woody notes with red berries, vanilla and caramel. Big and bold but not overwhelming. |
| Palate | Caramel sweetness followed by fresh fruit before the spicy notes. Overripe cherries, dry roasted peanuts and crunchy grain. Then follows the rye spice mixed with vanilla, cinnamon and hints of pepper and cloves. | Woody notes with spices mixed with red berry and rich toffee notes. Cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper heat from the rye with a vanilla and caramel creaminess. |
| Finish | A spicy rye finish with cinnamon, allspice and vanilla. Medium length. Warming. | Medium length ending in pepper spice and caramel. |
| My Rating | Excellent | Excellent |
| Food Pairing | Mexican food or apple pie | Aged cheddar cheese |
| Price(estimate) | £ 33 / $ 28 | £ 30 / $ 29 |
Pouring both whiskeys into glasses, the Sazerac Rye appears slightly darker with a richer golden hue compared to Bulleit Rye. Both bottles sit at 45% ABV (90 proof), setting up an even playing field for this tasting.
Bulleit Rye brings forward ripe cherries and vanilla, balanced by rye spice, toasted oak, and subtle grain notes. Sazerac Rye, on the other hand, is spicier on the nose, offering bold red forest berries, wood, vanilla, and more pronounced black pepper.
On the palate, Bulleit Rye leans into caramel sweetness, overripe cherries, dry roasted peanuts, and grain. The rye spice builds gradually, blending with vanilla, cinnamon, and a touch of pepper and cloves.
Sazerac Rye, in contrast, delivers a stronger wood-forward profile, with rye spice taking centre stage. Hints of red berries and toffee sweetness emerge in the background, but the spice heat dominates. A few drops of water help mellow the bold spice and bring forward the berry sweetness.
Next to each other, the Sazerac can be summarised as rye spice, wood, and red berries. It is quite spicy and bold, and it needs a few drops of water to soften the spice heat and bring forward the berry sweetness.
The Bulleit is sweeter and slightly more complex, with a better balance between the rye spice and the caramel sweetness. Not quite as bold as the Sazerac, it is easier to drink with just a few drops of water.
Both whiskeys fall into the affordable category and are widely available, including on Amazon and major retailers worldwide.
Bulleit Rye pairs well with Mexican cuisine—its smooth yet bold profile stands up to spice. It also complements warm apple pie fresh from the oven.
Sazerac Rye works well with a strong aged cheddar, where the cheese’s creaminess helps balance the whiskey’s spice.
Final Verdict: Which One Wins?
For my taste, Bulleit Rye takes the edge with its sweeter, more approachable profile. However, John prefers Sazerac Rye for its bold spice and intensity.
If you enjoy spicy, full-bodied rye whiskey, Sazerac Rye is a great choice. If you prefer a smoother, well-balanced rye with caramel sweetness, Bulleit Rye is the way to go.
Both of these straight rye whiskeys offer something unique. Whichever you choose, you’re in for a quality pour.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
Also Read: Bulleit Bourbon vs Bulleit Rye Whiskey
