Sazerac Rye 18 YO 2012

The reviewed bottle has been open for one year, is 85% full, and has been preserved with inert gas for most of that year

Colour: medium dark

Body: thinner than Sazerac 18 or most other straight rye whiskesys usually are

Nose: strong fragrant dark fruits, black cherries and plums mostly, but also hints of raisin and grape. Yes, there is even banana in this nose. There is floral perfume of roses and delicate high-pitched echoes of spice from the rye grain. This has a perfect sweet/dry balance and remarkably little influence from 18 years of new oak maturation. This is a perfect rye nose

Taste: a lovely translation of the nose onto the palate. It would be hard to equal this nose, though this palate comes close

Finish: medium to medium-long finish. All of the goodness remains intact. This finishes on piquante spice

Balance: 2012 Sazerac 18 YO Rye is a wonderfully balanced whiskey, with everything in its place. This is another great Sazerac 18 Rye, the only slight shortcoming being a rather thin mouthfeel. This is delicious juice which is very easy to drink. I consumed at least 100 ml in sampling for this review. God I love Sazerac 18 Rye!

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