Buffalo Trace steps into the French Quarter with Sazerac Rye Whiskey.
Before Sazerac Rye, the Sazerac Company, or even the Sazerac cocktail, there was just Antoine Peychaud. Immigrating from Haiti to New Orleans around 1793, Peychaud settled into pharmaceutical life in the French Quarter. By 1832, he owned his own apothecary where he sold a mixture of herbs and spices called Peychaud’s Bitters. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Peychaud would mix his bitters in with brandy and absinthe for a cocktail that became very popular in the local coffee houses (aka bars). The Sazerac Coffee House in particular was known for the cocktail, which quickly became known as the Sazerac.
In 1869, Thomas H. Handy acquired the coffee house, the bitters, and the cocktail right before founding the Sazerac Company. Today, the company owns the entire Buffalo Trace collection, but still had to leave their mark on the brand with the Sazerac line. The offshoot includes Thomas H. Handy Sazerac, Sazerac Rye 18 Year-Old, and the original Sazerac Rye.
Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey clocks in at a solid 90 proof with no official age statement, but the title of “Straight Rye,” which implies at least four years. This whiskey opens up with a heavy licorice and vanilla smell. The flavor is a rich combo of orange citrus, caramel, and stone fruits like peaches or apricots. The finish finally shows off some of the rye spice with black pepper and a bit of clove, before moving back into licorice and fruit.
When combined, the flavors provide a unique variation on what you might expect from a rye. Although fans of a deeply herbal or spicy rye may disagree, for us it’s a fun twist. Plus at just around $30, it’s an easy and affordable addition to any bar collection.
Do yourself, and Antoine Peychaud, a favor and pour this delicious Sazerac Rye Whiskey directly into a Sazerac cocktail.
STATS: Sazerac Rye Whiskey
- Price for us: $27 for 750 mL
- Proof: 90
- Aged: NAS
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace, owned by the Sazerac Company, Inc.
- Recommendation: Neat
