Sazerac Rye Jewel Osco Single Barrel Select Straight Rye Whiskey

VITALS:

- $30

- 90 Proof

- NAS

- Barrel #063

- Kentucky

There are always those bottles that will almost always provide quality whiskey at a good price. Throw in actual availability, and you've got what I'd call "go to" whiskeys. Sazerac Rye is one of those for me. While it's not the typical rye profile that I like--I tend to prefer a spicier versus a sweeter rye--it's still a consistently good pour.

So, when I hear of any store getting a single barrel pick of Sazerac in, I'm usually up for trying it out. Jewel, though, is not typically on my short-list of stores whose single barrels I make it a point to buy. But, given that they had a good amount on the shelves when I was there, and it was a mere $30, one nonetheless made its way into my shopping cart.

The nose gave off an immediate impression of wheat bread, slightly sweet, grain-forward and somewhat yeasty. It also had a bit of a honey butter note as well.  I also got a bit of orange peel, adding some brightness as well as just a touch of bitterness to the nose.

As to flavor, my first impression was this was very watered down. I realize that it's only 90 proof, so I wasn't expecting fire water, but this seemed even more watered down than it should be. Nonetheless, I was able to pick up initial flavors of cherry and brown sugar, along with a light cinnamon spice note.

There was a certain richness, that was something like an almond liqueur note mixed with a bright citrusy orange note. The breadiness that I was getting on the nose also came through as well, though without the honey butter note that I enjoyed on the nose.

While the forward flavors were good but not great, this one seemed to fall off a bit for me on the finish. It had a certain grassiness to it that seemed out of place compared to everything else I was getting.  I also got the cherry on the finish, except there it translated to more of a cherry cough syrup flavor that I just really could not get past.

While it won't detract me from buying other single barrel Sazerac picks in the future, this one was a bit of a dud for me. The flavors were just okay, and I just didn't really like the finish all that much. While I liked the nose, unfortunately I don't buy whiskey to smell it.  That's what candles are for.

Grade: C-