The one and only New Orleans original, Sazerac Rye symbolize the culture and history of the Big Easy. In the 19th century, industrious farmers and distillers in the heartland of the United States barreled and shipped their rye whiskeys down the great Mississippi River to the bustling, growing city of New Orleans.
These spicy and assertive spirits fueled the whiskey culture of New Orleans and established the first American cocktail, The Sazerac.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Aromas of orange zest, clove, and raisin greet the senses, with hints of rye spice and anise underneath. It’s soft with a gentle delivery, allowing a deeper inhale to draw out the fainter scents. Quite pleasant overall and a nice way to start the sip.
Palate: Fruit flavors comprised of sweet apricots, orange peel, and plums meet more traditional notes of caramel and vanilla. Light barrel char teases in the background, along with a mix of raisin and anise underneath. It has a light body, and at 90 proof, requires a bit of searching to pull out all the flavors. With that being said, the reward is worth the effort.
Finish:
Rye spice bursts forth, but only momentarily. A light black licorice note follows, but is quickly overtaken by a spicy-sweet blend of dark fruit, caramel, and black pepper. It’s medium-length and invites you back for more.
