Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye 2016 (75cl, 63.1%)

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye 2016 is the 2016 annual release of a Kentucky straight rye from Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. It is bottled at 126.2 proof (63.1% ABV), uncut and unfiltered, in a 75cl bottle. The rye takes its name from Thomas H. Handy, who ran the Sazerac Coffee House in New Orleans in the late nineteenth century and is credited with popularising the Sazerac cocktail. Bold rye spice, dried fruit, caramel and vanilla lead the nose. The palate is powerful, with rye grain, dark fruit, brown sugar and warming spice, and the finish is long, with pepper, cinnamon and rye spice.