Sazerac Rye Full Proof vs Sazerac Rye 90 Proof Comparison Review

Sazerac Rye vs Sazerac Rye Full Proof
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
90 Proof vs 125 Proof
SRP: $24 vs $40
Review by Ray Marcano

Please enjoy our Sazerac Rye vs Sazerac Rye Full Proof Review by Ray Marcano!

Back in November, Buffalo Trace announced it would release a Sazerac Rye Full Proof to go with its 90 and 100-proof expressions. These products remain among the best values on the market, with the 750ml 90-proof rye readily available at ~$24, the 100-proof 1L at $32, and the 750ml full proof (125 proof) at $40. 

I have the 90 and Full Proof, and thought a comparison would be fun. I tried to build it side-by-side, but that didn’t work, so here’s the best I can do.

Details

Sazerac Rye (90 Proof)

• Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
• Whiskey: Sazerac Rye
• Type: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• Proof: 90 Proof
• MSRP: $24

Sazerac Rye Full Proof

• Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
• Whiskey: Sazerac Rye Full Proof
• Type: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• Proof: 125 Proof
• MSRP: $40

• Mash Bill: Undisclosed, but rye content is at the low end of the allowable limit (51%)
• Age: Non-age stated, but thought to be around 6 years
• History: Buffalo Trace released its 90-proof rye in 2006 to meet growing demand for rye whiskey. The distillery released the 100-proof and Full Proof versions in 2025, expanding the existing lineup.

Tasting Notes – Sazerac Rye vs Sazerac Rye Full Proof Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻 Nose:
90 Proof: Pepper, rye bread, clove, light orange, and cherry
Full Proof: Allspice, rye bread, clove, pepper

👉🏻 Taste:
90 Proof: Vanilla, orange zest, light nectarine, rye bread
Full Proof: Pepper, clove, orange licorice, cinnamon

👉🏻 Finish:
90 Proof: Hot, black pepper, more rye, plum, orange candy
Full Proof: Hot, rye spice, light apple, orange candy

Surprisingly Similar Profiles

There really iThere’s really not THAT much of a difference between the two. The full proof has a thicker mouthfeel and a slightly more balanced flavor. The 90 proof, no surprise, is thinner. But I was surprised that the 90-proof was much hotter than the full-proof.

Both whiskeys share similar rye-forward spice notes along with orange candy characteristics on the finish, but the Full Proof does a better job separating the fruit and spice flavors. The additional viscosity also helps give it a fuller overall presentation.

A Close Matchup With A Slight Edge – Sazerac Rye vs Sazerac Rye Full Proof Review

This is close to a toss-up. I like the full proof better because it’s thicker with a nice, deeper color, and it’s easier to delineate the flavors, especially the differences between the spices and the fruit. There’s only a roughly $16 price difference between the two, so that’s not a big deal. If you don’t like a hot finish, the full proof will be for you, and I know that sounds strange, but in this case, it’s true.

Have you tried Sazerac Rye or Sazerac Rye Full Proof? Which do you prefer? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Sazerac Rye vs Sazerac Rye Full Proof Review by Ray Marcano! Ray publishes a free monthly newsletter, The Bourbon Resource. You can subscribe here. If you would like to read more of Ray’s reviews, check these this recent one: Burnt Tavern Bourbon Review. Also, check out these related articles: Buffalo Trace Distillery Introduces Sazerac Rye Whiskey 100 Proof and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey Review (2024).

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