Sazerac 18 Yr Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml
Sazerac Rye 18 Year is a Kentucky straight rye whiskey and is one of five bottlings in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection released each fall.
The Sazerac 18 forms, together with the Eagle Rare 17, George T Stagg, William Larue Weller and Thomas H Handy, the so-called Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Just like the Eagle Rare and contrary to the other three, it is bottled at a drinking strength of 45% ABV or 90 proof. Being a Rye Whiskey, rye is the prime ingredient.
The nose is rather floral at first. Violets and daffodils. Even some dandelion. Then some very dark bread emerges, as do honey and dark fruit. Caramelized apple. Cinnamon and a hint of black pepper. Cherry liqueur. Hint of butter. Rather soft.
It is both mildly oily and spicy on the palate. All kinds of pepper from the rye. Despite the rather modest ABV, it does pack quite a punch. Sweet on apples with some tobacco and leather in the mix. Then suddenly coffee and chicory. Mildly bitter towards the end.
The medium long finish offers a hint of coconut.
This one does not need water in my opinion, but what a lovely rye indeed. Taken as a whole, this Antique Collection is indeed a glorious one with nothing but top notch liquid.
