Thomas H. Handy 2021
Spirit: Straight Rye Whiskey
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Aged: 6 Years, 4 Months
Price: $99 (750ml)
Proof: 129.5
About Buffalo Trace Distillery:
Throughout the challenges of floods, fires, tornadoes, and even Prohibition, the American family-owned Buffalo Trace Distillery has never compromised. A timeless dedication to respecting the past while fearlessly innovating for the future has served us well for more than two centuries. No matter the challenge, be it Mother Nature or man, the people of our Distillery have been part of the story that shaped America and the spirit industry as well.
About Thomas H. Handy:
Named after the New Orleans bartender who first used rye whiskey in the Sazerac Cocktail, this uncut and unfiltered Straight Rye Whiskey is bottled directly from the barrel, just as it was over a century ago. Full of rich flavors, this authentic American rye whiskey is a symbol of the timeless history of New Orleans and the legacy of Thomas H. Handy.
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Nose
(4)
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Palate
(4)
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Finish
(3.5)
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Heat Vs. Proof
(4)
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Value
(4)
Notes & Summary
Notes & Review
Nose: Clean, prominent nose. Notes of mint, toasted buckwheat, cinnamon stick, dry roasted oak, and baked toffee compete on the front of the nose while undertones of licorice and sour cherry play in the background. Palate: Off-dry, velvety, full mouthfeel. Cinnamon red hots, baked rye, baking spice, cracked leather, charred oak on the front with undertones of licorice and dried fig. Finish: Short, simple finish. Notes of charred rye, torched oak, tobacco, and cinnamon. Review: It’s always hard reviewing a BTAC bottle. There are ravenous fans who foam at the mouth every time you bring one up. Then, there are the people who just roll their eyes every time they hear about someone trying it, ready to throw about thirty other recommendations into the ring. Thomas H. Handy is definitely up the alley of a rye drinker who likes higher-proof pours. It carries with it a lot of bold flavors. So, if you’re looking for a nice, easy, light sipping rye… well… this one might not be for you. It’s a BIG rye. Nothing about this pour is subtle. It’s got massive flavors that come out swinging, a thick viscosity that gives you something to chew on and stays bold the whole way through. Overall, if this is a rye that matches your preferred rye profile, it’s going to be one of the top pours in that wheelhouse. However, if you’re shy to rye or typically like more mild pours that are easy sippers, this one might be a bit much.
Greg Sinadinos started his spirits journey writing a whiskey periodical for Fine Tobacco NYC Magazine. He began answering review requests under a social media page he named “Whiskey Culture,” which quickly merged with Greg’s passion for connecting with others and his interest in history.
Today, Greg travels the country not just looking for great whiskey, but also exploring the history and individuals that the whiskey community is founded upon. He has authored “Whiskey History From Around The World” and is the host of “The Rickhouse” web series.
