Buffalo Trace announced the release of its annual Antique Collection, a coveted lineup of extra aged and uncut bourbon and ryes from across its portfolio.
William Larue Weller Bourbon, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon, and Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Whiskey are all in attendance. But the bottle that will undoubtedly be most talkd about this year is George T. Stagg, which made its way back into the portfolio after being ousted from the lineup in 2021 for “not meeting the Distillery’s standards.” But this year, Stagg is back and clocks in hot at 139.7 proof, Stagg’s highest ABV since 2016.
While the suggested retail pricing is $99 for each, most bourbon fans know that they will likely be sold by liquor stores at much higher prices. But whether you go bottle hunting to get lucky, pay the premium, or buy an ounce or two in a bar, here is some info and company tasting notes on each expression.
George T. Stagg Bourbon
Vitals: 138.7 Proof (69.35% ABV); $99
This year’s much-anticipated return of George T. Stagg comes from barrels laid down in 2007 and aged 15 years and five months in Warehouse K at the Buffalo Trace campus. Expect pecan and chocolate aromas, followed by baking spice, vanilla, and cherry pie flavors, with coffee, molasses, and oak on the finish.
William Larue Weller Bourbon
Vitals: 124.7 Proof (67.9% ABV); $99
William Larue Weller is distilled from Buffalo Trace’s wheated bourbon mashbill and entered the barrel in 2010. It rested 12 years in warehouses C, K, and N. Buffalo Trace tasting notes call out toasted coconut, butterscotch, and caramel on the nose. The palate features spicy mint, dark cherry, and molasses, concluding with leather, nutmeg, and vanilla.
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey
Vitals: 130.9 Proof (65.2% ABV); $99
Thomas H. Handy was distilled 6-years ago in the spring of 2016 and aged in warehouses I, L, and M. A floral nose spiked with anise, marmalade, and meringue greets the olfactory, followed by baking spice, orange peel, and hints of dark chocolate on the palate. This year’s Handy concludes with a long finish featuring cinnamon, praline, and candied orange.
Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon
Vitals: 101 Proof (50.5% ABV); $99
Aged 17-Years as the name implies, this year’s BTAC Eagle Rare offering was distilled in 2005, and the juice was matured in warehouses H, K, and L. Aromas of tobacco, chocolate, cherries, and a hint of oak kick things off. The palate features caramel, vanilla, and dark chocolate, concluding with a finish of baking spice vanilla and butterscotch.
Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Whiskey
Vitals: 90 proof (45 ABV); $99
This year’s Sazerac is a straight rye whose stocks were aged 18-19 years in warehouses K, M, and P. Expect orange peel, lemon zest, and molasses on the nose, followed by flavors including spicy pepper, coriander seeds, and maple syrup. The extra-aged rye is capped by a finish featuring mint, tobacco, and oak.
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