Thomas H. Handy Sazerac, 6 years, b.2016, 63.1% abv.

The story goes, during the mid 1800s, phylloxera spread in French vineyards making cognac an extreme rarity, amongst other things. Because of this, Thomas H. Handy, the owner of Sazerac Coffee House in New Orleans, had to substitute cogac with rye whiskey in their proprietary Sazerac cocktail and it became a hit with the masses. Buffalo Trace named this BTAC offering after the owner of the "creator" of the Sazerac cocktail.

Nose: light caramel, light chocolate, light wood, rye based? Honey shows up with time.

Palate: medium bodied? initial palate was honey, major spice, mid palate was woody, oaky, spicey. A little plain for a Handy rye. Couldn't seem to hold onto it's own flavors.

Finish: medium, major spices, cinnamon, hints of honey, boiled water, very quick though.

The flavor profile is very rye like, very spicey, temporary, not really full-bodied but perhaps medium bodied, slightly sweet. Intense though. Major aspects are the palate and finish.

Grade: B-

Whiskyanalysis.com, 9.12 ± 0.25 on 18 reviews on multiple vintages?
Thewhiskeywash, Margarett Waterbury, 90/100
Whisky advocate, John Hansell, 90 points
Breakingbourbon, Jordan, 4/5

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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