Ok, all this talk about rye got me interested...
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Bulleit was a nose full of green grass, and it tasted the same. Potent, bold, sweet grass. Spicy, as expected. Finish was short and, well, grassy. 95% rye mashbill would expect this.
Sazerac had a nose of grass and caramel. Expected the caramel to show on the palate too, but it was absent. Tasted watery, dilute, after the Bulleit. Had some rye spice, but subdued. Tasted like a rye that had been proofed down too much. Definitely not a mixer... Finish was better, with lingering oak, and a touch of caramel.
EHT Rye nose was much more oak and caramel relative to the first two. Palate was more caramel sweetness, with oak. Grass was present, naturally, but in the background. Finished long, starts grassy, but ends with an oak note.
KC CS nosed more like a bourbon. Caramel, oak. Slight rye spice relative to the others on the palate. This really drinks like a bourbon. Richer, sweeter, plenty of oak. Finish is long, full of oak, sweet, but relatively grass-free. Seriously, this is like bourbon...
I'm a fan of the KC. The EHT is passable, but not a repeat at $70. Probably won't buy the Saz again. Bulleit is the generic MGP (made in IN) available under 50 labels. Buy MGP-sourced rye based on best price...
