Thomas H. Handy is an uncut and unfiltered straight rye whiskey. It’s much younger than Sazerac 18 but comes in at a higher proof (Saz18 is 90 proof compared to the varied barrel proof of Handy).
Related:
- Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) Guide
- George T. Stagg (GTS) Uncut Unfiltered Review
- Sazerac 18 (Saz18) Rye Whiskey Review
- William Larue Weller (WLW) Uncut Unfiltered Wheated Bourbon Review
- Eagle Rare 17 (ER17) Review
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Table of Contents
Thomas H. Handy Analysis
| Handy Details | Facts |
|---|---|
| Mashbill | |
| Large Grain | Minnesota Rye |
| Small Grain | Kentucky Corn: Distillers Grade 1 and 2 |
| Finish Grain | North Dakota Malted Barley |
| Fermentation | |
| Milling Screen | #10 |
| Cook Temp | 240 Degrees Fahrenheit |
| Water | KY Limestone with Reverse Osmosis |
| Fermentation | Carbon Steel/Black Iron Fermenter |
| Mash | Sour |
| Distillation | |
| Distillation | Double Distilled Beer Still and Doubler |
| Off the Still | 135 Proof |
| In the Barrel | 125 Proof |
| In the Bottle | Varies by Year |
| Barrel | New, White Oak #4 Alligator Char (55 Seconds) |
| Barrel Maker | Independent Stave Co 712 East Main Lebanon, KY 40033 |
| Barrel Size | 53 Liquid Gallons 66.25 Original Proof Gallons |
| Filtration | Non-Chill Filtered (NCF) |
Thomas H. Handy 2020 Review
| Year | Average | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 32.00% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouses N, M, & K |
| Floors | – | 3rd, 9th, and 5th Floors |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | N/A |
| Age | 6.56 | 6.2 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 129 |
| Proof +/- | – | 0.11% |
Full Review Coming Soon
Thomas H. Handy 2019 Review
| Year | Average | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 26.00% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouses N, M, & K |
| Floors | – | 3rd, 4th, or 5th Floors |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | N/A |
| Age | 6.56 | 6.2 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 125.7 |
| Proof +/- | – | -3.19% |
Full Review Coming Soon
Thomas H. Handy 2018 Review
| Year | Average | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 25.50% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouses I & L |
| Floors | – | 3rd and 6th Floors |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | 73 |
| Age | 6.56 | 6.4 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 128.8 |
| Proof +/- | – | -0.09% |
Full Review Coming Soon
Thomas H. Handy 2017 Review
| Year | Average | 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 27.20% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouses K, L, & Q |
| Floors | – | 3rd, 4th, and 5th Floors |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | 72 |
| Age | 6.56 | 6.5 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 127.2 |
| Proof +/- | – | -1.69% |
Full Review Coming Soon
Thomas H. Handy 2016 Review
| Year | Average | 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 26.80% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouses I, K, & M |
| Floors | – | 4th, 5th, and 7th Floors |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | 61 |
| Age | 6.56 | 6.3 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 126.2 |
| Proof +/- | – | -2.69% |
Full Review Coming Soon
Thomas H. Handy 2015 Review
| Year | Average | 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 30.23% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouses I, K, & M |
| Floors | – | 4th and 7th Floors |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | 58 |
| Age | 6.56 | 6.2 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 126.9 |
| Proof +/- | – | -1.99% |
Full Review Coming Soon
Thomas H. Handy 2014 Review
| Year | Average | 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 33.24% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouse M |
| Floors | – | 5th Floor |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | 47 |
| Age | 6.56 | 6.3 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 129.2 |
| Proof +/- | – | 0.31% |
Thomas H. Handy‘s 2014 release hits just north of the average proof for an average Handy proof. It’s also one of only two releases that come from Warehouse M and the 5th Floor.
Nose – 93 out of 100 Points
The first flavor is warming baking spice like cinnamon and allspice followed by subtle floral notes, tannic oak, and orange zest.
Taste – 95 out of 100 Points
The palate is floral with a heavy dose of warming spices, spicy red hots, and a grassy note. Then rolls in the sweeter notes of vanilla and bubble gum. I have rarely picked up the bubblegum flavor, and it hasn’t always been pleasant, but it works alongside the heavy spice on the front of the palate. You need that pop of sweet, fruit gum.
Finish – 95 out of 100 Points
The finish is long balancing spicy red hots, bubble gum, and rye spice. This sounds like a weird combo, but these flavors work surprisingly well.
Verdict – Gold 94.3 out of 100 Points
Thomas H. Handy 2013 Review
| Year | Average | 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 32.87% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouse K |
| Floors | – | 7th Floor |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | 47 |
| Age | 6.56 | 6.4 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 128.4 |
| Proof +/- | – | -0.49% |
Full Review Coming Soon
Thomas H. Handy 2012 Review
| Year | Average | 2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 30.23% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouse O |
| Floors | – | 5th Floor |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | 47 |
| Age | 6.56 | 6.3 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 132.4 |
| Proof +/- | – | 3.51% |
Full Review Coming Soon
Thomas H. Handy 2011 Review
| Year | Average | 2011 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 32.53% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouse K |
| Floors | – | 6th Floor |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | 41 |
| Age | 6.56 | 6.5 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 128.6 |
| Proof +/- | – | 0.29% |
Full Review Coming Soon
Thomas H. Handy 2010 Review
| Year | Average | 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 30.38% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouses P, K, & M |
| Floors | – | 3rd and 4th Floors |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | 58 |
| Age | 6.56 | 6.3 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 126.9 |
| Proof +/- | – | -1.99% |
Full Review Coming Soon
Thomas H. Handy 2009 Review
| Year | Average | 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 30.37% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouse K |
| Floors | – | 3rd Floor |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | 51 |
| Age | 6.56 | 7.3 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 129 |
| Proof +/- | – | 0.11% |
Full Review Coming Soon
Thomas H. Handy 2008 Review
| Year | Average | 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 30.08% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouse M |
| Floors | – | 5th Floor |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | 22 |
| Age | 6.56 | 6.5 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 127.5 |
| Proof +/- | – | -1.39% |
Full Review Coming Soon
Thomas H. Handy 2007 Review
| Year | Average | 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 62.53% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouse L |
| Floors | – | 5th Floor |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | 34 |
| Age | 6.56 | 6.5 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 134.8 |
| Proof +/- | – | 5.91% |
Full Review Coming Soon
Thomas H. Handy 2006 Review
| Year | Average | 2006 |
|---|---|---|
| Evaporation Loss | 31.98% | 29.75% |
| Warehouse | – | Warehouse K |
| Floors | – | 8th Floor |
| # of Barrels | 48.85 | 24 |
| Age | 6.56 | 8.5 |
| Proof | 128.89 | 132.7 |
| Proof +/- | – | 3.81% |
Full Review Coming Soon
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Written by Matty Sims
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