The new shipment of the 2009 edition has just arrived in the UK, and Master of Malt are the first to offer it for sale.
Tasting notes for the whiskey have been compiled by the tasting team at Master of Malt and read as follows:
Nose: Huge and powerful sweet rye on the initial nosing gives way to cinnamon toasted brioche, leather, and more than a hint of maraschino cherry. A really huge hit of oak follows, somewhat vinous with it - we were reminded of a barrique aged chardonnay. There's something slightly medicinal lurking somewhere - a hint of iodine perhaps? It's definitely not out of place amongst the other huge aromas given off by this whiskey though. A slight suggestion of coconut right at the tail end.
Palate: An initial astringency is surprising after the sweetness of the nose, but it soon becomes clear what the game is here, as under-ripe banana that arrived first is elbowed out of the way by its caramelized, almost barbequed banana.
Finish: As the complexity continues to build, we get hints of cola nut, and a touch of hazelnut latte. The spiciness continues right to the end, and the finish seems to go on for ever.
Overall: We've had a lot of ryes over the years at Master of Malt, but this is a different beastie entirely. We wouldn't go as far as to call this whiskey austere, but it's definitely a grown-up dram. If you've not had the pleasure of sampling an American whiskey of this age this is a very, very good place to start.
Sazerac Rye 18 Years Old (fall 2009 edition) is available now from Master of Malt priced at GBP89.95, and for a limited time only Master of Malt are giving away a free 5cl miniature of Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon with every bottle sold.
About Master of Malt
Established in 1985, Master of Malt has a proud heritage of over 25 years in whisky retail. They are one of the UK's leading online whisky (http://www.masterofmalt.com/) merchants, and one of the most highly rated independent bottlers, all of whose single cask whiskies scored over 90 points in the Jim Murray Whisky Bible 2009.
Sazerac Rye (http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/sazerac-straight-rye-18-year-old-whiskey-fall-2009/)18 Years Old (fall 2009 edition) is available now from Master of Malt priced at GBP89.95, and for a limited time only will come with a free 5cl miniature of Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
For further information please visit http://www.masterofmalt.com and for the latest news about Master of Malt http://twitter.com/masterofmalt.
SOURCE Master of Malt