Sazerac, Full Proof Rye
The Sazerac Rye Full Proof punches well above its price point. Bottled at an impressive 125 proof (62.5% ABV), this is a straight rye mashbill distilled at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Despite the location of its distillery, the Sazerac label belies a New Orleans influence and history. This release is the strongest in a lineup that also includes a 90-proof expression and a 100-proof variant.
Nose
Dried mint, dried mango, cherry compote
Palate
Black pepper, creme caramel, burnt caramel
Finish
Nutmeg, caramel, baking spices
Mint and marmalade are the stars of the show, receiving top billing in nose and palate, opening up in the snifter to reveal bright red berry jam notes. This sturdy and structured expression then flexes with exposure to oxygen, opening up to reveal black pepper and creamy vanilla notes, which eventually coat the finish in a slow retreat of sweetness. Then comes the finish, which delivers lasting threads of nutmeg and caramel, effectively splitting the difference between savory and sweet. Sip it neat in a snifter at room temperature, and this liquid will compare favorably against ultra-luxury ryes at 10 times the cost, or add a couple of drops of water and watch those baking spice tonalities take center stage. A complex sipping rye that, above all, punches well above its accessible price point.
