Whiskey Review: Sazerac Rye 100-Proof Straight Rye Whiskey

Introduction

This week on the Film & Whiskey podcast, we cracked open a bottle that’s been staring at us from the desk for a while now: Sazerac Rye 100 Proof. Big thanks to the folks at Sazerac for sending us this hefty liter bottle.

This is the amped-up version of the well-known “Baby Saz” rye, the non-BTAC (Buffalo Trace Antique Collection) release that’s gained popularity as the go-to rye for making classic cocktails. But here, we get it at 100 proof, in a liter-sized bottle, clearly meant to be your new home-bar workhorse. There’s no age statement, so it’s at least four years old, and Buffalo Trace—as usual—isn’t sharing the mash bill. But most speculation suggests it’s their low-rye rye mash, possibly just 51% rye, which gives this whiskey a unique hybrid character.

We dove in to see whether this bottle is just a high-proof mixer, or something more.

Nose

Brad:
This is a really robust nose. There’s a ton of mintiness, and the rye spices are very deeply present. I also picked up a little brown sugar and a hint of caramel from the oakiness. It’s overall just a really sweet, pleasant, spicy rye nose. I like this a lot. 8/10

Bob:
Breaking Bourbon lists this as a non-age-stated product, so we know it’s at least four years old. With Buffalo Trace’s low-rye mash bill, it’s got a lot of bourbon-like characteristics. You get just enough of that minty, dill, sour note to tell you it’s either a really high-rye bourbon or a really low-rye rye. I like it too, but I’m a little more cautious. 7.5/10

Taste

Brad:
This is a really tasty rye whiskey. There’s tons of rye spice, but it almost reminds me of a cinnamon roll. You get that cinnamon spiciness along with a little cream cheese frosting vibe. I really like this a lot. 8/10

Bob:
I’ll go 8/10 as well. But the notes that jumped out to me were really different. The very first thing I got was lime—like lime zest, lime juice. It was unexpected. As it moved across my palate, I started to pick up green apple candy, almost like an apple Jolly Rancher. There’s definitely some baking spice, but for me it stayed really bright and fruity the whole time.

Finish

Brad:
Finish-wise, it leans minty—getting into dill territory for me—but there’s enough brown sugar sweetness that sticks around to balance it out. I do wish it lasted a little longer, especially at 100 proof, but overall it's solid. 7.5/10

Bob:
This is where it starts to fall off a bit for me. On the finish, I’m getting that artificial sweetener vibe we’ve picked up on some of the cheaper whiskeys we’ve reviewed. It tips a little sour at the end and gives me a bit of that aspartame flavor. Not terrible, but not a highlight. 6.5/10

Balance

Bob:
This started really strong, but the finish dragged it down a bit. I’ll still give it 7/10 on balance, but that might be a little generous.

Brad:
I’m going with 7.5/10. There are really good flavors here. It’s not a complex rye at all—very straightforward—but it’s flavorful in what it gives you.

Value

Brad:
I’m seeing this online for anywhere from $25 to $30 for a liter. That’s wild. This is an incredibly tasty rye that has all the flavor depth you’d want at this price. Sure, there’s not a ton of complexity, but for $30, I’m not asking for that. 9/10

Bob:
Official MSRP is $30 for a liter. So scaled down to a 750ml, we’re talking about $24.75. You’re not finding much else at 100 proof in that range besides Old Overholt, and while I may slightly prefer Old Overholt, this isn’t a worse whiskey, it’s just in a different flavor wheelhouse. For what it is, the value is strong. 8.5/10

Final Scores

Brad:
I’m landing at a 40/50 on this one.

Bob:
I’m at a 38/50, and that’s heavily boosted by the value score. But either way, that averages out to a 39/50 from us.

Conclusion

At 39 out of 50, this is a clear thumbs-up from the Film & Whiskey team. For context, 35/50 is the point where we recommend trying a pour at a bar or even buying a bottle. Anything above 40 is a great whiskey. 45 or higher, and you’re talking about something truly excellent.

Sazerac Rye 100 Proof offers great flavor, high proof, and a generous bottle size, all at a budget-friendly price. Whether you’re mixing Manhattans or sipping neat, this bottle belongs on your shelf.