Bourbon.

[cocostella]

An unfair competition for the helluvit. Larceny (and not WA’s #1 “Barrel Proof”) won out over the slightly “grassy-er”Blanton’s... according to both my wife (a wine type gal) and myself...

 

[Gibonius]

I picked up a Sazerac rye (not the 18, the cheaper stuff), and there's something very off about it. Almost tastes corked, which I've never seen in a spirit before. I usually appreciate the younger Sazerac when I can find it.

Weird and disappointing.


edit: It shows up in cocktails too. Tried a Boulevardier, which is not exactly a shy cocktail, and that wet cardboard note still comes though. Bleh. I've never thrown out a spirit before but this might be the first.

 

[Seminole21]

 

[venividivicibj]

View attachment 1582005

trying to find this - how does it compare with the SE4?

 

[gnatty8]

I picked up a Sazerac rye (not the 18, the cheaper stuff), and there's something very off about it. Almost tastes corked, which I've never seen in a spirit before. I usually appreciate the younger Sazerac when I can find it.

Weird and disappointing.


edit: It shows up in cocktails too. Tried a Boulevardier, which is not exactly a shy cocktail, and that wet cardboard note still comes though. Bleh. I've never thrown out a spirit before but this might be the first.

Assume you've tried Rittenhouse? It is my go to for cocktails. If you haven't tried it, give it a whirl.

 

[jcman311]

trying to find this - how does it compare with the SE4?

I still really like what Makers has been doing with their finishing series. Sure they are a little more expensive but I really like the profiles as a single malt guy.
Sorry, that doesnt answer your question. Just an observation.

eta: Plus I get to mess with a wax cap, right @Omega Male?

 

[Gibonius]

Assume you've tried Rittenhouse? It is my go to for cocktails. If you haven't tried it, give it a whirl.

Yeah Rittenhouse is my staple.

I've had plenty of Sazerac before, I think this one is just bad for some reason.

 

[venividivicibj]

I still really like what Makers has been doing with their finishing series. Sure they are a little more expensive but I really like the profiles as a single malt guy.
Sorry, that doesnt answer your question. Just an observation.

eta: Plus I get to mess with a wax cap, right @Omega Male?

Their wax cap isn't too bad because it has the little pull tab.

 

[gnatty8]

Yeah Rittenhouse is my staple.

I've had plenty of Sazerac before, I think this one is just bad for some reason.

Very strange, as I would think consistency would be something any distillery would target with ferocious intensity for a flagship brand. I have actually never tried Sazerac, and likely won't now..

 

[venividivicibj]

Looks like Booker’s MSRP went up again. Really losing its value proposition

 

[Huntsman]

Being corked is not out of the question since the stopper is indeed cork. It is a rare event even in wine, but no reason it couldn't happen in the rye, too. And that's not a distillate QC thing either. Always sucks though so sympathies.

The Sazerac is I think still worth trying. My favorite rye for mixing in lighter cocktails, even over the Rittenhouse - I don't always want or need 100pf, especially in a 2oz cocktail. Plus the bottle is beautiful on the bar.

Back when there was the first rye crunch, I saw Saz going for $130/btl, which is cray though.

-H

 

[Gibonius]

Being corked is not out of the question since the stopper is indeed cork. It is a rare event even in wine, but no reason it couldn't happen in the rye, too. And that's not a distillate QC thing either. Always sucks though so sympathies.

The Sazerac is I think still worth trying. My favorite rye for mixing in lighter cocktails, even over the Rittenhouse - I don't always want or need 100pf, especially in a 2oz cocktail. Plus the bottle is beautiful on the bar.

Back when there was the first rye crunch, I saw Saz going for $130/btl, which is cray though.

-H

Sazerac goes for $25 around here, when you can find it. I score a couple bottles a year, and it's usually worth buying if nothing fantastic.

The Saz 18 is one of the few Grails I've never turned up.


I've only ever had maybe two bottles of corked wine, never had a corked spirit before. Very odd experience. I'd certainly give it another shot, figure this is a one off.

 

[gnatty8]

Looks like Booker’s MSRP went up again. Really losing its value proposition

Probably haven't bought Booker's in over 2 years now for this reason. It was a fantastic value at $49.99, but once it hit north of $79.99, I just didn't like it enough to pay that. Almost afraid to ask where it is now.

 

[gnatty8]

Being corked is not out of the question since the stopper is indeed cork. It is a rare event even in wine, but no reason it couldn't happen in the rye, too. And that's not a distillate QC thing either. Always sucks though so sympathies.

The Sazerac is I think still worth trying. My favorite rye for mixing in lighter cocktails, even over the Rittenhouse - I don't always want or need 100pf, especially in a 2oz cocktail. Plus the bottle is beautiful on the bar.

Back when there was the first rye crunch, I saw Saz going for $130/btl, which is cray though.

-H

I trust your palate, but Rittenhouse has been my go to for years now, and I just can't bring myself to change. That and my wife and I have great memories of the namesake park from when we lived there, so there's also that..

 

[usctrojans31]

I picked up a Sazerac rye (not the 18, the cheaper stuff), and there's something very off about it. Almost tastes corked, which I've never seen in a spirit before. I usually appreciate the younger Sazerac when I can find it.

Weird and disappointing.


edit: It shows up in cocktails too. Tried a Boulevardier, which is not exactly a shy cocktail, and that wet cardboard note still comes though. Bleh. I've never thrown out a spirit before but this might be the first.

Sounds like it was a lemon bottle. I've bought and drank plenty of it as it's my favorite QPR spirit. The retailer may be amenable to a bottle exchange or credit.