I opened my bottle of Sazerac rye at the Bourbon's Bistro last night and shared with about 8 of my friends. Here is my first impression
Sazarac Rye
90 Proof
No Age Statement but John Vereeke told me it was 6 years old
Bottle 902 of the first 1,000 bottled
Color: Light Amber or Burnt Orange
Nose: Sun dried peaches and spice with a hint of caramel and oak.
Taste: Rye grass and fruit - peaches and light caramel with a huge burst of cinnamon spice. No alcohol burn but a very pleasant warmth in the mouth and throat.
Finish: Fruity and sweet at first with a dash of spice and caramel. A little oak wood ends the finish leaving a very clean palate.
Notes: This rye just screams "Deep South" and New Orleans. It is not a rye from the sea coast of Maryland or the river banks of Pennsylvania and definitely not from the cold wastes north of the border. This rye is about steamboat and jazz bands with southern belles at the horse races. It is very different from the Old Overholt or Wild Turkey Ryes in a very positive way. It will be a hit.
Mike Veach