Thomas H. Handy Sazerac, 6 years, b.2014, 64.6% abv.

The THH is one of the rye offerings in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, with a massive outpour of over 8,000 bottles from 47 barrels and a little over 6 years old. It is also the youngest in the BTAC. These BTAC bottles are typically distributed in boxes which include a letter with release details.

Nose: light, behind the moderate levels of honey and vanilla, I'm getting tar, red apple juice, vines, vinegar, hard to get past the toast though.

Palate: super dry, wood, initial palate is major wood and chocolate, after some time it's major honey, prunes, toast, a variety of wood, so different, but lacks that ooomph initially.

Finish: dry, medium, clean, light wood spice flavors left, hints of bacon.

Initially, this is a pretty clean rye, the spice is there, but after a sip it more or less disappears, which is amazing for such high proof, how does it do that?!? And that hint of bacon is quite interesting. I think I got a new bottle, so the flavor profile and experience might be different, but after opening up it changes significantly! Wish it could offer more.

Grade: B

Whiskyanalysis.com, 9.12 ± 0.25 on 18 reviews on multiple vintages?
Whisky advocate, John Hansell, 82 points
Breakingbourbon, Jordan, 3.5/5
LA whiskey society, Sku, B+
World Whiskies Awards 2014, World's Best Rye Whiskey

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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