Sazerac 1981 18 YO

Sazerac 1981 18 YO, 45 %

Sazerac 1981 18 YO

This old thing was distilled in the Fall of 1981 and bottled in the Summer of 2000. The Sazerac 1981 18 YO is a Kentucky Straight Rye.

I can no longer recall how I got my hands on this. Let’s just call this a test of the new platform (Squarespace) I’ve just moved my blog to.

Nose (23/25): Soft, light and delightful. Quite a spicy nose, but the spices are so well integrated, and make such a perfect whole it feels like a caress. Pepper, toffee, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, orange zest, vanilla, well-worn leather sandals, warm sand, old wooden furniture - well-polished. It is slightly perfumed, but it is laid back, and tempered. It feels very balanced.

Taste (22/25): Quite rich and of ample body. Pepper, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Medium sweetness, and a slightly dry mouthfeel.

Finish (21/25): Relatively long finish. Pepper with a pinch of chili. Cinnamon, ginger, orange juice, and toasted oak.

Balance (22/25): Yeah, that’ll do it. One of the best rye whiskeys I’ve had.

Score (88/100)

Sláinte!
- Thomas