Let’s face it, when it comes to whiskey (or whisky), the world is full of worthy contenders. Putting aside signature complexities and nuances of production, it’s pretty straightforward: Corn, rye and barley make Bourbon, Rye and Scotch, respectively.
When this becomes an All-American contest (apologies to Scotland, Ireland, Canada and Japan), the field narrows to a two-whiskey race between Bourbon and Rye. Forget the electoral college, this comes down to the 51% in the mash bill.
Mash is the main thing you have to know about whiskey. According to US law, Bourbon must be distilled from mash that’s at least 51% corn, while Rye must be at least 51% rye. As for the remaining 49%, that comes down to another grain used for distillation to influence its final flavor profile.
With a peppery bite, we know Rye as an irascible, spicy splash of flavor that washes over the palate with every sip. Whereas corn-based Bourbon exudes an easy-going, honeyed sweetness that you’d expect from a traditionally Southern spirit. If you can imagine the difference between cornbread and rye bread you have a good grasp on the variances in profiles.
Both formidable candidates, the debate between Bourbon and Rye becomes what to make of them, or more pointedly, what to make with them? In political parlance, play to your strengths and secure your base.
If you favor a sweeter drink, you’ll do better with Bourbon. Think venerable cocktails like an Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, and crowd-chiller the Mint Julep.
But if you are a staunch lover of spicy notes or a dyed-in-the-wool savory flavor fan, go with Rye, and drinks like a Manhattan, a Vieux Carre, or the legendary Sazerac.
Still undecided? There’s no better place to settle this debate than at the Sazerac House—a place where all parties are welcomed to fully immerse in the details and differences of whiskeys, and come away with an understanding of not only what goes into the glass, but everything that goes on around it and what makes cocktail culture what it is today.
Schedule a tour today and come see for yourself how we make Sazerac Rye on site. Perhaps, take a bottle with you and take part in the great, great whiskey debate yourself.
Events
Wheated Bourbon Origins Experience
Explore the legacy of Pappy Van Winkle and the innovation that transformed bourbon by replacing rye with wheat, creating the smooth, approachable style known today as wheated bourbon. Enjoy a guided tasting featuring three elevated expressions of Weller, the Original Wheated Bourbon, before concluding with a rare taste of one of the world's most sought-after bourbons. Discover the history, craftsmanship, and lasting influence behind bourbon's most iconic wheated whiskey tradition.
E.H. Taylor Bourbon Experience
Experience the craftsmanship and legacy of E.H. Taylor through an exclusive guided tasting featuring five of the distillery's most sought-after expressions. Guests will enjoy pours of E.H. Taylor line showcasing the remarkable range and innovation of the Taylor portfolio. Through each pour and discussion, discover how Taylor's relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the bourbon industry and created innovations whose influence can still be found in distilleries around the world
Smugglers and Spirits
This program explores the people who operated along the edges of the law in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, including pirates, privateers, smugglers, river bandits, bootleggers, and other notorious figures. Through historical storytelling and beverage interpretation, guests learn how Louisiana's waterways, ports, and frontier conditions created opportunities for both commerce and crime. Cocktail pours are incorporated throughout the program to connect the stories to the spirits that shaped the region's culture and economy.
Science of Spirits
Shake up your cocktail knowledge with a guided tasting featuring premium spirits and handcrafted cocktails, including Sazerac Rye, Jung & Wulff Guyana Rum, a Clarified Whiskey Sour, a Coconut Oil-Washed Rum Old Fashioned, and a Buffalo Trace Paper Plane.
House of Cocktails Class
Discover how a well-chosen liqueur can transform a simple drink into a show-stopping cocktail. Guests will explore the history of classic cocktails while unlocking endless possibilities with the Sazerac House of Cocktail line of liqueurs. Learn simple techniques, flavor-building tips, and creative applications that will transform the way you mix. Sip. Experiment and leave inspired to elevate every cocktail you make.
Behind The Bar
Go beyond following recipes and learn how to build a cocktail that's truly your own. Behind the Bar is an interactive old fashioned cocktail class where you'll explore how small ingredient choices create dramatically different flavor profiles. Rather than making the same drink as everyone else, you'll customize your cocktail by selecting from a curated range of premium spirits, sweeteners, bitters, and garnishes. Your experience begins with a welcome cocktail crafted by the instructor before you step “behind the bar” to experiment with your own creation
Meet the Distiller: Small Group Tour & Tasting
Step behind the scenes with the artisans who bring Sazerac’s legendary spirits to life. “Meet the Distiller” is an exclusive, hour-long experience that begins with a private VIP tour through the Sazerac House distillery and historic Apothecary. Guests will enjoy insider access, behind-the-barrel stories, and a rare glimpse into the craft and science of our production process. Following the tour, you’ll join our distiller in their private tasting room for a curated guided tasting of four Sazerac expressions — hand-selected and presented by the distiller. This intimate setting allows guests to explore the flavors, techniques, and traditions that define our spirits.
