The BEST BUDGET Rye Whiskey? | Bulleit Rye vs Sazerac Rye BLIND REVIEW

[@tobiasblack1749]

I bought some Bulleit Rye. I was always told it was just for "mixers" and not "good for sipping" from whiskey snobs - below average at best. Well it isn't better than the Knob Creek Rye for my taste. But it is amazing! I couldn't stop drinking it. I drank it neat (I don't do mixed drinks) and went through 1.75l bottle in a week. Love this stuff got it for my review.

[@brmicmatthews8398]

You know you love a bourbon when you kill an entire 1.75 in a week. Damn lol

[@tackela2]

My guy

[@huntermcdougal5013]

Bulleit rye was my intro to rye.. Liquor store clerk recommended it over the bourbon and he wad right... Vanilla, tobacco, bing cherry, grassy straw/hay, caramel. Delicious!!

[@wwilson7409]

Two great bottles! I always suggest Bulliet Rye to people that want to try something that are not into bourbon and whiskey...100% love it!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

It'll always hold a special place in our hearts, that's for sure!

[@IC86]

Great review, thanks for posting this. I haven’t tried Sazerac Rye, having heard mixed reviews. I do have Bulleit Rye, it was the first rye I bought when I started my journey a year ago, and I wanted to see what “pure” or at least no-corn Rye was like. I get the dryness you mentioned and almost exclusively a pepper spice note. It’s good, great for mixing, but for sipping/tasting I’ll turn to Wilderness Trail Rye, Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye, or Jack Daniels Rye. Thanks again for the review!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Those are some fantastic sipping ryes for sure. We have to get some Wilderness Trail on the channel ASAP. Cheers IC!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Those are some fantastic sipping ryes for sure. We have to get some Wilderness Trail on the channel ASAP. Cheers IC!

[@jackclark1739]

Wes

[@jackclark1739]

@@stuffandwhiskey is

[@jackclark1739]

@@stuffandwhiskey Rd tc

[@ronaldtheriot]

I got a tie, on my blind taste test. Now, in Louisiana, we commonly see Sazerac Rye for $18.99.

[@bbpete8349]

So I wasn't watching a year ago ( just didn't know) but I enjoyed this video. Like you, I prefer bourbon but have started trying some ryes. These look good based on your judgments so I'm going to try these. BTW, I like the lights and the mirror in this background. Thanks.

[@SaintTaris]

I visit my parents in New Orleans a few times a year. I find Sazerac Rye for $17.99 all over the city. I normally buy a few bottles to bring back home. The 1.75L bottles are also readily available.

[@mikedubs9940]

You’re the first person that has described some thing as it. “taste as it feels. “In that instance, I’m amazed that you agree with me on this crossing of senses . I always say something taste like it smells which is kind of weird when we talk about olfactory senses. Interesting nonetheless, good on you guys.

[@kathyhughey7350]

Great comparison - we prefer bulleit rye on ice if we have it out. We've been doing blinds for a while and it never ceases to amaze me how a whiskey can taste different depending on your mood, time of day, what you've eaten and if its the first pour.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

So true! It's one of the reasons we love entering things into our blind sample pool at least twice in different matchups so we can see how it strikes us completely blind on separate days. It truly is fascinating!

[@sweetsinnndy5201]

I really want to try a rye with a higher rye mashbill, thanks to you two, I'm going to try the Bulleit and eventually the Sazerac. We have plenty of Sazerac at Binny's, $29.99. On sale at Binny's, may go tomorrow, $24.99

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Bulleit is definitely a great place to start as it’s a 95% rye mashbill sourced from MGP, and if you do like it, it’ll open up a lot of doors for you in regards to other ryes. With that said, there are a lot of other ryes more approachable to bourbon drinkers like Sazerac. Both great ones to try when starting down the path of ryes.

[@jeffreyjennings1640]

I'm just a little late to this party. Glad to hear/see the good takes on Sazerac, finally saw some for the first time and picked up a couple of bottles (haven't had it before). Looking forward to trying it out. I'm pretty much on board with the consensus regarding Bulleit.

[@RedSoxFanatic4Life]

That the Sazerac Rye is harder to find makes me want it more than the Bulleit Rye. I know that I can always get Bulleit if I want it, and I already have other MGP 95/5 Ryes. If I see a Sazerac Rye on the shelf for $30 I’m more likely to buy it, and the perceived scarcity is definitely a factor in that decision.

[@homerj1640]

When I think of rye spice, I'm thinking of clove. I love Bulleit Rye with 7-up and Sazerac neat.

[@drgallup]

I certainly prefer the 95/5 MGP mashbill of the Bulleit plus at the lower cost and better availability it wins hands down. However, I really don't buy either as the proof is too low for a good mixed drink (much prefer to use 100 proof mixers) and there are many other slightly older, higher proof ryes I would much rather drink straight. I will give Baby Saz the nod for a much better looking bottle but that doesn't count for anything once you have one.

[@rebellaxbro]

Any recommendations for a 95 rye at 100 proof?

[@bergstrom716]

Wow your reviews are really really well done Thank You!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thanks so much B-Dang! We're (hopefully) only getting better too. Thanks so much for tuning in!

[@nickp5511]

Both very good low cost pours! Sazarac is at the local Sam’s no limit 22.00

[@johnringenberger7338]

Just starting to dip into the Rye area will definitely have try both of these (If I can find Sazerac!) ...always been a Bourbon snob :)

[@sweategg]

Good how you explained rye mate

[@stuffandwhiskey]

It's trickier than one might think. Cheers and thanks for watching!

[@CPGumby]

Bulleit Rye was also my intro to Rye, along with Rittenhouse, and I look on it fondly for that reason. It's got a great flavor and is great neat or in a cocktail. Just like Erin, I can't seem to quit it when I come back to it after I thought I moved past it.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Just when you think you’re out, it pulls you back in!

[@bobbygriffith1429]

I really like Bulliet Rye over Sazcerac . It’s a more fuller taste and a great mixer for an Old Fashion!

[@Watchman999]

I rye-ly like Sazerac although it is about twice the US cost here in Canada. Haven't t-rye-d Bulleit Rye. Great showdown you two. Keep up the great reviews. Have you had Bulleit 10 year? Surp-rye-singly it is about the same p-rye-ce as the Sazerac here. Rye would that be? Actually I think the Bulleit 10 is a bourbon so.....apples and o-rye-nges.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Haha! We haven’t actually had Bulleit 10 which is a c-rye-ing shame. We definitely need to correct that. Cheers and thanks for watching!

[@williamcornelison4721]

My Liquor sales person is saving me a Sazerac this week. He has six bottles just came in..... I have Bulleit Rye and Bulleit Bourbon in my bar..

[@LP23D6]

First student to class!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

You get an A+. Well done, Mike. 👏 Cheers buddy!

[@gregs7375]

Interesting matchup! Both are worth trying/having one day but I don’t think either is a “must buy”. MGP 95/5 is all over the place. The Baby Saz though might be a good choice for those who like the “sweeter” Kentucky style rye.

[@ryanschroeder560]

Great premise, this is a unique way to make decisions about whiskey.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thanks Ryan! We're here every Thursday with these double blind head-to-heads. We appreciate you watching!

[@Keithslawinski]

I keep actively trying to drop Bulleit from my lineup, but I find it increasingly difficult. It never wins a blind flight, nor is it #1 in any particular cocktail, but it NEVER comes in last either (in the 100 proof or less category) and tends to be my go to when making drinks for greenhorns. I can't say the same with most of my others who swing far harder depending on the cocktail. Butteit Rye seems destined to remain my swiss army Rye for the foreseeable future.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Keith, the idea of a Swiss army whiskey is brilliant. We may have to borrow that idea for a video with attribution to you. Just brilliant.

[@Lithanify]

Sazarac rye is weirdly a shelfer here in PA... not sure if things have just changed in the past 2 yrs... but it's on the shelf at every state store... Some do limit it to 1/customer... but it's basically a shelf bottle. Which is especially odd; because we have some of the worst availability of any state for virtually everything else.

[@donaldalderman2424]

What are your thoughts on Pikesville Rye? Just getting into ryes some. What's a good gateway rye for someone mainly into bourbon?

[@LeatherDaddy97]

If youre into a little more proof pikesville is an excellent choice. Definitely a crowd favorite.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Pikesville and Rittenhouse are two classic “bourbon drinker’s ryes” depending on your proof point preferences. We like both a lot!

[@bdwilcox]

If I'm going to buy a value rye, it's Old Forester Rye all the way. (In my market, it's $25 and the bottles are literally crowding the shelves, but I've heard that in other parts of the country, people are saying it's getting scarce). I've had the Sazerac rye and it's OK for a $30 to $40 rye but it's real value shines as an inexpensive gift that looks stunning. The best thing about Sazerac rye is the bottle - it would look perfect on a Wild West bar shelf.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Well said all around. Sazerac would definitely be a great old timey saloon rye, and the 100ish proof ryes like Old Fo, Rittenhouse and Wild Turkey 101 arguably offer a lot more value for the money for sure.

[@tragic504]

We get Sazerac rye for 19.99 in our market. The last one I purchased was single barrel select for that price. I find the regular one to be more sweeter the select was a slight bit bolder. New Orleans is home to the Sazerac headquarters.

[@LeatherDaddy97]

Standard price is 32 here. I didnt even know they did store picks

[@stuffandwhiskey]

That’s pretty cool! The picks are a real rarity in our market here. Not even sure stores do them anymore TBH.

[@tragic504]

If you’re in New Orleans stop at the local grocery store Rouses it’s as common as picking up beer.

[@Fusion-ed1pv]

Riverboat Rye from Total Wine is the best budget rye. It's an MGP rye for $19.99.

[@bo_mccroskey]

Totally true about New Orleans and Sazerac. I always have one on my bar and it's like $19 here, but there's cases upon cases of it sitting in grocery stores. Buffalo Trace used to be the same way, but the surplus has dried up and it's harder to find now.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

It’s like Weller Special Reserve in Texas. Folks pay upwards of $100 here at times and it gets passed over on shelves in Texas at $25. Hype is weird. Cheers Bo!

[@LeatherDaddy97]

@@stuffandwhiskey people want what they cant have

[@stuffandwhiskey]

@@LeatherDaddy97 true truth. Logic be damned.

[@mamoruchiba752]

Coming from Europe this video really is a bit strange. Here where I live the sazerac rye is about 60 bucks whereas bulleit is about 28 😂 don't know why that is (maybe they import so little?) but bulleit was my first rye and I loved it so much. You taste creamy grains, hint of pine, the honey really elevates it, such a great to sip rye. Also I now know that I love rye, I'm a big grain guy and I love that spicy grain taste. Though I gotta say, if u don't like it spicy, rye maybe is not for you or maybe start with a rye that has much lower rye content

[@Kevin_OKeefe]

I make our Manhattans with either Bulliet or Sazarac. Both make a delicious cocktail. Cheers!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Great choices for a Manhattan for sure. Perhaps the better question is which vermouth is your go-to? Cheers and thanks for watching, Kevin!

[@Kevin_OKeefe]

@@stuffandwhiskey Good question! We’ll typically use Carpano Antica, Angostrua bitters, and a Luxerdo cherry or two.

[@bourbon-rondezvous]

"if that's your jam"....man, I haven't heard that phrase in years! LOL! Nice! BTW, Wassail is a Christmas tradition in our house (non alcoholic) but Wassai might be the Japanese version of Wassail? LOL! Sorry....

[@theukyankee]

I haven't had either but they are both easily available in London.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

If you like ryes and lower proof pours then they’re worth checking out!

[@whiskeywishingwell6076]

Hey guys, I enjoy all your videos. Rye spice… I say rye bread… so many different rye breads out there, many more Rye whiskys .

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thanks so much WWW! Cheers!

[@jimbrady7030]

I would be curious to see a list of bourbons & ryes that have ranked the highest in all the head to head battles.... especially the ones you two found exceptional. Cheers!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Over on the Whiskey Nerd tier of Patreon we keep an updated spreadsheet with all the pours and scores sortable by price, proof, overall score, and each individual category’s score. We update it ever weekend after the Thursday head-to-head.

[@jimbrady7030]

@@stuffandwhiskey Are you suggesting that I might be a whiskey nerd?

[@stuffandwhiskey]

@@jimbrady7030in the best way possible. Nerds rock.

[@vroomoon]

Huh. I literally bought a bottle of Sazerac at the grocery store yesterday. I didn't realize it's a little hard to get. Then again... I was in Louisiana.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Great comment toward varying market availability. Sazerac is plentiful in Louisiana for sure. Cheers and thanks for watching!

[@mamboliciousman]

Have you reviewed Jacobs Pardon Batch 2?

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Never heard of the brand but will be on the lookout. Cheers Victor!

[@tontobb8956]

Rye burbs pops the taste buds in yr mouth. Peppery Sparkly on the palate

[@lghbtsl]

What number randomizer do you use on your phone? Thanks! :)

[@stuffandwhiskey]

It’s an app called Randomic. Cheers and thanks for watching Londo!

[@lghbtsl]

@@stuffandwhiskey Do you have to make two different spread sheets so that when the price is revealed, you don't see the name of the bourbon? Just curious :)

[@stuffandwhiskey]

@@lghbtsl we use a Google Dropdown form. The key numbers and price are in the headers like #11 ($25) vs #12 ($30) and we can’t see what the pours are until we click the dropdown. It’s simple but works really well.

[@0tteru]

Funny how Bulleit got accolades for being affordable. It's likely an area thing but Bulleit here is pretty expensive. It's 20 dollars standard for a pint of rye. I bought a bottle of Sazerac recently for 21 dollars. It's hardly ever available but I fnd it interesting how the available rye is pricey but the allocated one is pretty cheap here.

[@rebellaxbro]

Gotta do dickel VS. bulleit rye, they are both mgp 95% rye.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Great head-to-head recommendation, Jake!

[@Jared40]

Sazarac Rye 😋🥃I love it

[@stuffandwhiskey]

A solid pour indeed. Can’t wait until it pops up against Elijah Craig Rye.

[@mikem4432]

In my area, VA, it seems Bulleit is everywhere, Sazerac. not so much... for my money.. it is a no brainer.. Bulleit.. but if I see a Saz on the shelf.. yeah I will get it too. Old Forester Rye is better than both of those.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Agreed on Old Forester. Such a great bottle for the money. Cheers!

[@joeappleton6849]

Sazerac rye whiskey win

[@whiskeyriffslounge]

WT101 Rye blows both of these away

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Turkey all day, every day. Cheers and thanks for watching Kelsey!

[@LeatherDaddy97]

Neither of these are for me. Good for cocktails but boring and bland on their own. Id rather have sazerac if i had to pick one.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Interestingly we thought we were kinda past both of these as well based on the low proof and simplicity but they really hit us right this night. Need to revisit non-blind to verify.

[@mikedubs9940]

Um is there word “Desciriptor”Whoa…Play doh?ugh

[@debbybrady1246]

Your wife is beautiful.

[@johnoberto2659]

Both chill filtered garbage. Go with anything 46% and up

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We tend to prefer more proof as well but garbage is a pretty strong term.