Sazerac 18, b.2015, 45% abv.

Sazerac 18 is one of the more interesting bottlings in the BTAC... or was one of the more interesting ones. The maturing juice from Saz18 barrels were removed and filled in stainless steel tanks to stop ageing. For example, this Saz18 was distilled in 1985, but bottled in 2015. However, this 2015 release was supposedly the last of those taken from stainless steel tanks. Saz18 from 2016 and on would have been taken from barrels. Apparently this practice of putting barreled juice in steel containers is not uncommon.

Nose: concentrated grapes, brandy, a little chemical, glue, slightly tar-like, viney.

Palate: a little smooth, initial palate is a chemical sweetness, woody, mid palate is green jelly, hints of oak, back palate has smoked honey, hints of wood, hints of prunes and raisins.

Finish: medium, like a light bbq-ed marshmallow.

Very nice rye, not too spicey, soft on the sweets similar to marshmallows and gummy candies. Not as potent as the 2017 version. Not sure why I gave it an average grade.

Grade: C

Whiskyanalysis.com, 8.92 ± 0.29 on 16 reviews, unknown vintage
Thehwiskeyjug, Josh Peters, 83-86/100
Whisky advocate, John Hansell, 95 points

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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