Buffalo Trace gives lineup, release details for one of bourbon’s biggest cult favorites
One of bourbon’s most coveted collections is back to full strength after a year without a bottle.
Buffalo Trace announced on Wednesday that its Antique Collection will include George T. Stagg again this year. Last year’s collection was absent the fan favorite after the bourbon failed to meet the distiller’s standards for release.
But this year the George T. Stagg put in barrels in 2007 came through with classic flavor, hearty and intense, according to the Frankfort distillery.
Other whiskies in the once-a-year collection include Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy and Eagle Rare 17 Year Old. These whiskies are made from three distinct mash bills, or recipes, according to Buffalo Trace Distillery: rye mash bill #1, wheat mash bill and straight rye mash bill.
The full collection, which is sold separately, will hit stores soon. Fans typically line up overnight to try to be one of the lucky few to get even one bottle from the collection.
Many liquor stores hold raffles for the right to buy premium whiskeys such as the Antique Collection, named for the extra aging that gives the whiskey its flavor and makes it ultra scarce.
The Antique Collection was introduced more than 20 years ago and has won many awards and stellar reviews.
2022 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Bourbons
Here are details on the entire collection, according to Buffalo Trace. The whiskeys are expected to be available “in limited quantities” in early to mid November. The suggested retail price is $99 each.
George T. Stagg
This year’s George T. Stagg bourbon was distilled in the spring of 2007, making it 15 years and 5 months old at bottling, according to the distillery. The proof is 138.7, the highest proof for this whiskey in the past six years. This year’s barrels were aged in warehouse K. Tasting notes call out toasted pecan and chocolate sauce on the nose, a rich blend of baking spice, vanilla and cherry pie on the palate, and a robust finish of black coffee, molasses and oak.
William Larue Weller
This uncut, unfiltered, wheated recipe bourbon was distilled in the spring of 2010 and aged in warehouses C, K and N. This bourbon registers at 124.7 proof. Tasting notes say it has a nose of toasted coconut, butterscotch and caramel, a touch of mint, dark cherry and molasses on the palate and a full-bodied finish with hints of leather, nutmeg, toffee and vanilla. The previous release of this wheated bourbon was honored with a Double Gold medal at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye
This uncut and unfiltered straight rye whiskey was distilled in the spring of 2016; aged in warehouses I, L and M and weighs in at a 130.9 proof, the highest proof for this whiskey since 2012. Tasting notes say it has a nose with floral notes, anise, marmalade and meringue, followed by a palate with baking spice, a burst of orange peel and subtle dark chocolate, and a long finish of cinnamon, praline and candied orange. Last year’s release earned 97 points and was named in the top 100 spirits by judges at the 2022 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
Eagle Rare 17 Year Old
This 101-proof whiskey was distilled in the spring of 2005 and barrels were aged in warehouses H, K and L. Tasting notes say it has a nose with a hint of tobacco, chocolate covered cherries and a touch of oak, followed by caramel, vanilla bean, dark chocolate and oak on the palate and a full-bodied finish with baking spice, vanilla and butterscotch. The 2021 Eagle Rare release was honored with the Chairman’s Trophy at the 2022 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old
This 2022 straight rye whiskey release has a nose of orange peel, lemon zest and molasses, a palate with a bold blend of black pepper, coriander seeds and maple syrup, and a well-rounded finish with mint, tobacco leaf and oak, according to the tasting notes. The barrels were filled in the spring of 2003 and 2004 and rested in warehouses K, M and P. It is bottled at 90 proof. Previous releases of Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old were named in the top three finest whiskeys in the world by the “Whisky Bible.”
This story was originally published October 26, 2022 at 1:29 PM.
