12/02/2026 Sazerac

Sazerac Straight Rye (45%, OB): nose: this is strangely very Bourbon-y, full of vanilla and white-wood shavings dipped in honey, butterscotch and toffee. It is not complex at all a nose, but it pleases. One's imagination may well suggest a dollop of pale shoe polish too. The second nose reminds me of StilL 630's RallyPoint, also a rye, and also on the Bourbon-y tip, although this Sazerac is simpler. Maybe it has whiffs of white peach. Mouth: on the tongue, it is clearly a rye, with the typical note of Irn Bru to accompany woody notes similar to the nose's. There is much less vanilla at play, here, rather caramelised marmalade or maple syrup. The second sip has hints of lychee, which is, of course, a nice surprise. That is quickly matched by varnished arrow-back chairs and, of course, a drop of Irn Bru turning into cold coffee. Finish: amongst the woody notes again (toffee), we have a slight bitterness, either walnut shells or 45%-cocoa chocolate. That gives a chocolate-pudding impression that is well pleasant. The second sip transforms that bitterness into a mix of marmalade and rose-petal jelly. Inoffensive dram. A decent introductory rye whiskey. 6/10 (Thanks for the sample, OB)