1.9 - Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 2015 and 2017

Spirits Blind Tasting - A Spirits People Podcast

In this episode of the Spirits Blind Tasting podcast I'm doing a side-by-side vertical blind tasting of the Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey from 2015 and 2017. Feel free to follow along with a dram of any of these or any other spirit you enjoy as I try to uncover the aromas and flavors of these 2 spirits.
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My tasting notes from this episode can also be found below:
Spirit A - Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 2015 (63.45% ABV)
Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium > pronounced
• Aroma characteristics: Rye grain, gingerbread, burnt sugar, vanilla, peanut brittle, marshmellows, fresh cut grass, dried apricots, dried orange peel, oak, cloves
• Other notes: ABV hits your nostrils pretty heavily along with very strong Rye grain and ginger notes
• ABV: >60%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Mouth filling, very oily
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Rye grain, ginger spice, peanut brittle, grassy, dried apricots, cracked black pepper, burnt toast, char, oak, cloves, leather
• Other notes: Even with 10 drops of water in 25ml pour the ABV kicks up an alcohol storm
• Finish: Long and very complex (grain, pepper and char)
• ABV: >60%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: 2015

Spirit B - Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 2017 (63.60% ABV)
Appearance

• Clarity: Clear
• Intensity: Medium
• Color: Amber
• Suggested texture: Medium oily

Nose

• Condition: Clean
• Intensity: Medium
• Aroma characteristics: Rye grain, caramel, gingerbread, vanilla, cinnamon, dried orange peel, fresh cut grass, oak, tannins
• Other notes: This has a darker and more earthy aroma than spirit A
• ABV: >60%

Palate

• Sweetness: Dry
• Texture: Mouth filling, medium oily
• Intensity: Pronounced
• Flavor characteristics: Rye grain, caramel, ginger bread, grassy, cinnamon, toasted oak, leather
• Other notes: Also 10 drops of water, and also kicks up an alcohol storm on the palate
• Finish: Long and very complex (grain, ginger and char)
• ABV: >60%

Conclusion

• Quality level: Outstanding
• Blind guess: 2017

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at any time on Instagram @spiritspeople