2023 BTAC Review: Thomas H. Handy

[@MichaelBortner-qk4zl]

Which would you say is better the 2022 or 2023 (Handy)

[@DirtyHairy01]

Hope to see the rest of your BTAC reviews!

[@m6a6t6t2]

just got my first couple btacs stagg and handy 2023 your reviews are amazing !!!! opening my thomas handy tomm night !!

[@lifebreath77]

We opened this bottle at Christmas and we all had the exact same reaction. Absolute explosion of flavor. So good.

[@Ryan_West]

Sounds like it would pair very nicely with a cigar. I usually like rye with a maduro. In particular the Tabernacle from Foundation Cigars

[@uwrossl]

Just had a couple of pours of Handy this past weekend. For a Rye I quite enjoy it but year after year the WLW smokes all other BTACs for me. Never owned a bottle yet but am always able to track down a pour here and there.

[@minivandan6043]

Hey Fred! Given the buzz around it right now - would love to see your review of ECBP C923!

[@drgallup]

Got out my 2020 Handy, had a few sips before you actually got into this years. A cinnamon spice bomb too. about 5 points more proof. Has a nice bit of mint on the mid pallet. Not the absolute best barrel proof rye I've ever had but probably in my top 3.

[@nickp5511]

Nice, having a pour tonight and I’m really loving it! Cheers

[@49erFanMatt]

Really appreciate the notes on this years THH!! Really helpful in deciding to track down or not.

[@stuartrollings602]

Howdy Fred! Great review, notes on BTAC vs Rare Breed were very interesting..even encouraging since we hardly ever see a BTAC at MSRP and see RB everyday. Saddle up!

[@thomasmichael6509]

Can’t wait for that ER17 review. I don’t know who would be able to do this, but it would be awesome to see a blind between some different year ER17s that are minimum 19 year like this years. I think 2014 was and I think there’s at least one more too

[@jamescarroll1051]

I get the cherry/vanilla notes on my nose and palette sipping Old Forester 1920. For the price point... I'd wonder how these would compare.

[@jacobgreer1195]

String on his hat. Driving me crazy, I can’t be the only one

[@Kevin_OKeefe]

Now I can’t stop staring at it. Thanks a lot 😂

[@umami0247]

Sounds just like my cup of tea!! Rye’s are my favorite period!! And unfortunately I’ll never get to try this. Very envious! Enjoy!!

[@whatsthepoint170]

Hey Fred, love your content as usual. For these unicorn bottles I think us whiskey peasants would like to hear what a comparable obtainable bottle would be. At least as far as flavor profile goes. Thanks

[@dylan09876]

Old Forester 1920 comes to mind. Speaking from a whiskey peasant standpoint - the high proof, cherry and spice notes immediately ring reminiscent of Old Forester 1920 bottle in my experience, which is limited.

[@whatsthepoint170]

@@dylan09876I certainly appreciate the perspective, but as a frequent drinker of 1920 myself, it really does not remind me of a rye whiskey. It’s possible that TH drinks closer to a bourbon than a rye, but there’s gotta be a comp in the rye world, in my opinion. I heard some people name Sagamore 8 year as a comp in flavor profiles, but of course it’s all dependent on the palate of the drinker. I just in general hate the idea of never being able to taste these unicorns, in all likelihood. Just trying to get close without spending a grand! Lol

[@lifebreath77]

I have the 2023 Thomas Handy. It’s pretty unique, however, I’d say Peerless Rye has a somewhat similar flavor profile.

[@whatsthepoint170]

@@lifebreath77thanks for the rec!

[@billcaffrey2672]

Exactly my reaction to 2022 Handy. Incredible flavor and proof

[@dacrab1]

No offense… I’m glad I did not take your review as the recommendation. I totally got way more sweet, burnt, brown sugar, and Christmas spice on the 23 batch. Had a very nice lingering black pepper and allspice hug. Either way I like a sweet and spicy rye, and that’s what I found on my Tasting journey!

[@OakandAgave]

Love ya man!

[@Meowmeow0506]

I wish that they'd sell 100ml bottles like that of BTAC. likely my only chance to own these bottles lol

[@curtismsh9211]

That would be an awesome idea if they did that.

[@knownzero]

The media sample bottles look like squished versions of the normal bottle. Lol

[@billcaffrey2672]

The 2022 Handy was insane. Only William Larue Weller beat it for me. And I tasted all BTAC last year.

[@koji3759]

Handy won a Master medal sounds provocative

[@davidvoth7218]

Wild Turkey Rare Breed beat all of them? Wonder how 1920 would do

[@mikehaliday8302]

Certainly sounds like it would've wound up ranking higher than #86 on the top 100...

[@kylehicks1153]

I purchased a pour of 22 at a bar, couldn’t finish it it was so bad… pickle and BO musty

[@kevinbroering8896]

You got a refilled bottle then😳😂

[@henrycervantezzz5566]

Or it sat in the sun all year haha

[@AmongstTheWhiskey]

Perfect perspective telling folks that just because they're in the antique collection doesn't mean they're pinnacle whiskeys. When they don't even place in proper blind tasting competitions, they're not anything better than a solid Wild Turkey 101 proof

[@RealEyezRealizeRealLies]

Anyone beside me sick of these "reviewers" getting free top shelf stuff just because?

[@billcaffrey2672]

Dead cat stuff definitely needs to go away. I have 2 rescues and would not trade them for anything. Just sayin’

[@JonBlankman]

I have got to agree.

[@jaredcharland624]

What?

[@MrZondervan88]

Skip to 5 minutes, you’re good

[@MrZondervan88]

False, 7 minutes. Jesus dude