When first starting my bourbon journey, like many, I became a “fanboy” of all products from the Buffalo Trace Distillery. For months I found myself fixated on trying to find Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, Sazerac Rye, and of course the entire Buffalo Trace Antique product line. Fortunately, I did eventually chose to expand my taste buds. Now do not get me wrong, these are great products, and Eagle Rare, review here, is today still my daily drinker. However, the consumer over-hype of this distillery has now caused these bottles to become near impossible to find, and when you do they are often overpriced by liquor stores.

With all that said, yes, I do still have several bottles from the Buffalo Trace Distillery on my shelf. Thus, I have decided that the next few reviews will focus on these bottles, many of which started my collection nearly three years ago. So tonight, we are starting with Sazerac Rye Whiskey from, of course, the Buffalo Trace Distillery.

As stated from the website: The One and Only New Orleans Original. Sazerac Rye Whiskey symbolizes the tradition and history of New Orleans. Rye Whiskey dates back to the 1800’s, around the time when saloons, veiled as Coffee Houses, began lining the streets of New Orleans. It was at the Sazerac Coffee House on Royal Street where local patrons were served toddies made with Rye Whiskey and Peychaud’s Bitters. The libation became known as the “Sazerac” and America’s first branded cocktail was born. This is the whiskey that started it all.

For anyone wanting to try this rye whiskey, all I have to say is good luck. This bottle of Sazerac is from over a year ago during the Christmas hunting season of 2020. We purchased this bottle for $69, yes overpriced, and then found four others the next day at $39. Since then, Mrs. Bourbon Bossman and I have only seen one bottle in the wild at one of our local liquor stores for $89. I will say this is an excellent bottle, if found at MSRP, and I would also recommend this as a get starter rye whiskey. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Starts with your typical rye spices developing to lighter notes of honey, raisins, and cloves.
• Palate: Simplistic flavors, lacking a bit of depth; probably due to proof. Mild notes of typical rye spices, dark fruits, caramel, and vanilla.
• Finish: Full force of rye spices upfront ending quite abruptly. Lingering notes of dark fruits, anise, and rye/baking spices.
• 2022 MSRP: $30
• 2022 National Average: $46
• My Rating: Drink It! (If you can find it at MSRP)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman