Thomas Handy 2021 Rye 750ml

The odors stand out and smack you in the face, aided in part by a strong ethanol that hovers over all of them. Fortunately, the palate tones it down slightly, delivering an assembly of spicy notes accompanied with a grounding note of raisin. The palate is the star of the taste, complemented by an extremely silky texture. Finally, the sip culminates in a cascading blast of heat that serves to remind you of the rye’s high proof. This year’s edition leaves little question that it will satisfy all who have the opportunity to sample it. If you enjoy large, robust spicy flavors, this is the bottle to seek out among this year’s BTAC options.

The BTAC’s Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye pays tribute to the New Orleans bartender who invented the Sazerac cocktail with rye. This edition was distilled in Spring 2015 and will be released in October 2021. It was aged for six years and four months in #4 charred new American oak from warehouses I, L, O, and K. The mash bill includes Minnesota rye, Kentucky corn, and North Dakota malted barley.

Double Gold at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.