Sazerac 18 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey – 2009 Release
90 Proof
Price Point: $55 – $65 for 750 ML
Distiller: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Background
We’ve made it. You’ve seen my reviews on George T. Stagg, Eagle Rare 17 Year Old, Thomas H. Handy, and William Larue Weller, and now it’s time to round out my reviews of Sazerac’s Antique Collection with its most coveted; Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye.
This stuff is good. I mean really good. People like myself who aren’t typically keen on rye whiskeys can set their preferences aside and enjoy this stuff. In each year’s release, this whiskey is consistently rated highest among all whiskeys, usually in the mid-to-high 90s.
Review
I can’t say enough good things about the nose on this whiskey. It’s very heavy on oak, with hints of cherries and caramel. Truly a wonderful experience for your nose.
Once you taste this whiskey, even more is revealed to your palate. The rye really shines here, in a good way (again, even for those who don’t consider themselves rye enthusiasts).
The finish is dry, spicy, and very warming.
Rating & Recommendations
Sazerac 18 Year Old is a unique rye whiskey, fitting perfectly into the Antique Collection portfolio. Next to Stagg, this is my favorite of the bunch, earning a rating of 92 out of 100.
Unlike most of the other Antique Collection whiskeys, which are cask strength, this one is bottled at a much more manageable 90 proof. Therefore, I would recommend getting the entire flavor experience out of this whiskey and drink it neat.
This concludes the Antique Collection reviews. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading them as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them!
-Ryan
4 pings
[…] This is one of two rye whiskeys in the Antique Collection, with the other being the unmistakable Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye. This rye, however, is different than your average rye. Clearly the proof is a little […]
[…] year. The collection includes Eagle Rare 17 Year Old, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Rye, Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye, and George T. Stagg. These whiskeys are world-renowned for their quality, coveted for their […]
[…] images show bottles that are opened; sometimes with one drink vacant, sometimes completely vacant except for one drink. There are reasons for […]
[…] you recall (it’s okay if you don’t), I posted a review of the Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye back in January. This still ranks among my favorite whiskeys that I have reviewed thus far. Of […]