Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey

I have not had a rye whisky to review for such a long time. It is high time for something a bit more spicy and different, so today I look at the Sazerac Straight Rye whiskey. This whiskey is named after the Sazerac coffee house in New Orleans, which is deemed the birthplace of the famous Sazerac cocktail.

Rye whisky is slowly becoming more accessible in South Africa, and it is an excellent addition to the tasting range. During last months’ The Only Whisky Show, there were quite a few exciting rye releases available to taste including the Sagamore Spirit rye cask strength and the Double Oak.

Sazerac Rye is produced at the Buffalo Trace distillery. Other brands in the Buffalo Trace portfolio include WL Weller Bourbon, Eagle Rare Bourbon, Blanton’s Bourbon and Fireball Cinnamon.

The Sazerac Straight Rye is aged for around 6 years and the whiskey has a mash bill of over 51% rye. I love the old school bottle shape that stands out compared to the other standard bottles on my whiskey shelf.

Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey Review

ABV: 45%

COLOUR: Dark gold with hints of red.

NOSE: Sweetness blended with a variety of spices. Bits of pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon. Woody notes with red berries, vanilla and caramel. Big and bold but not overwhelming. It promises a rich warming experience.

PALATE: Woody notes with spices mixed with  fruit flavours and rich toffee notes. Cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper heat from the rye with a vanilla and caramel creaminess. The fruit from the nose translates to the palate with notes of red berries. Medium body and not the most complex dram. Water tones down the spicy heat and makes it very drinkable.

FINISH: Medium length ending in pepper spice and caramel.

RATING: EXCELLENT

John loves rye whiskey, and this is no exception. He loves the spicier palate. I prefer something a bit sweeter, but when you tone down the spicy notes with a bit of water, the Sazerac Rye becomes very drinkable. Even for my sweet palate. It is warming and inviting, and I did not mind a second glass.

The Sazerace Straight Rye whiskey is not that expensive.  I see you can pick it up from Amazon for around £35. An affordable and versatile bottle to add to your drinks cabinet.

I have done a side by side comparison between the Rittenhouse Rye whiskey and the Sazerac Straight Rye, and if you follow the link you can see how they differ.  I have also tasted a Scottish Rye whisky, the Arbiki Highland Rye release. A different spice profile, but still enjoyable.

What is a Sazerac cocktail?

Of course, I also had to try a Sazerac Cocktail. There are many variations of the Sazerac cocktail, but this one on the Liquor.com is probably the most widely quoted recipe that I have seen. It includes rinsing your glass with a bit of absinthe before muddling the sugar water and the bitters together. This version uses both cognac and rye whiskey.

This is a cocktail that I can drink regularly and will be making a more regular appearance on my cocktail trolley.