The world of Bourbon has become crazy. The alphageek started a website to simply compile a list of what bourbons he had enjoyed, write a short review and maybe take a picture or two to remember. In the next few years, bourbon has become a crazy world of limited releases, raised prices and mediocre products commanding quite the pretty penny. I could write an entire article, or even a series of articles, on how the increased popularity of bourbon has changed my tastes, behaviors and what I am willing to try. Those thoughts are for another time.

Motivated by the craziness in the whiskey world, the alphageek picked up a bottle of Sazerac Rye at the Virginia ABC store. What was the motivation? Simple: the sign said limit one per customer and the price was reasonable by bourbon standards.

I took a look at the Virginia ABC web site while writing. The web site claims my bottle has aged 6 years. However, I can’t find an age statement so I am not sure the product I am reviewing is the same product on the web site. My bottle says 90 proof.

I opened the bottle and found the aroma interesting. I got a spicy combination of oak and vanilla. Yes, I almost always get oak. I think other reviewers make stuff up better than I do. Remember, I promised my thoughts.

The first sip was an amazing, unique experience for a rye: a buttery, caramel flavor that is unique to this reviewer. As the rye rolled over the tongue, it became more complex with no burning. There is a body to this rye that most other whiskeys don’t have.

The sip went down easily, leaving a warm feeling, with no burning. It is hard to believe this is a 90 proof drink. It left me going “this is a rye”? I can see why this product is in limited release in Virginia ABC stores.

This rye is highly recommended. The alphageek is not usually a rye drinker, except in a Manhattan. Rye is too strong a drink to enjoy straight. That opinion changed with the Sazerac Rye.If you see some on the shelves, go pick it up.

If you have made it this far, a short word about the writings and the site is in order. To make writing as easy as possible, fancy stuff that was going in the background is no longer happening. I have decided to just post pictures and write. If you like what you read, please take a minute and share a link to this page somewhere interesting.

I am going to try to post more frequently again. I enjoy using the other side of my brain from time to time.