The rumors you have heard are true. The Saz 18 is from stock distilled in 1985. In 2003/04, they culled their final barrels and placed the whiskey in glass tanks. They have been bottling from these tanks ever since. I have had the '10 & '11 - but not side by side and not frequently enough to cite any ‘tired’ notes.
Went with the Thomas Handy Rye Whiskey tonight. Served over a small ice cube. The 2011 Handy was distilled in the spring of 2005 and comes in at 128.6 proof. At 6 1/2 years of age at release, it is fairly light in color when compared to the other 4.
On the nose is baking spice, warm caramel, light vanilla and a bit of rolling tobacco. Nice easy flavors on the palate, raw nutmeg, oak toast, torched sugar with some brown toasted nuttiness. This one does seem a bit younger, especially in the color and leanness on the palate. The flavors are there and I like the rawness it delivers; great stuff.
I’ve been doing a 1:1 Handy & Sazerac (regular, not 18) for my Manhattans and finding it to be excellent. Cuts the little bit of spirit and keeps you from getting (as) hammered by the proof.
Walked into Beach Liquors in Fort Walton Beach, FL yesterday and they had the entire collection on the shelf. I picked up the Stagg to complete my collection
Saw a good selection of Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Pappys and others at The Coffee Grounds here locally. I asked the owner (Eric)and he said it was ok to post his email so if you are interested here you go: ericn(at)thecoffeegrounds.com
I have no affiliation just saw them when I was in looking for a bottle of wine and thought I would pass it along.
Are the barrels for these things all the same size? I noticed that the Stagg seemed to have the most barrels released in 2011, while the Eagle Rare 17 had the fewest…I would have guessed the opposite or Handy being the most.
Per Buffalo Trace Distillery:
Stagg: 124 hand selected barrels
Saz 18: 28 Barrels
ER17: 24 barrels
WLW: 45 Barrels
Handy: 41 Barrels
Post #82. There are some info sheets. As far as I can tell, the barrels are all the same size but if you notice the % loss to evaporation you’ll see why the qty’s are so variable. The only one not out of barrel is the Saz 18, which was tanked a few years ago.
I would expect that the Eagle Rare has the most made, partly because some places allow ER with one other bottle. I was also under the impression that the Stagg and Sazerac were the most rare.
I cannot get into the bourbon link because I am not a member, does it actually show the bottles produced?
Noticed any discernable difference in these now that they have been open awhile? I cracked a Saz 18 and thought it much better after a little air (even though many think rye doesn’t like being open to air).
The weller and stagg have softened up a bit and seem more generous; air has made me love em even more. Haven’t been back to the saz 18 in a few weeks so I will have to check back in on it.
