Sazerac expands Barton lineup with two releases, both firsts for 1792 whiskeys
Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown is adding two new releases to the lineup, and both are firsts for the Sazerac brand.
The first is 1792 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, which is Barton’s first-ever straight rye expression. This major expansion of the portfolio will be available now in select markets with a suggested retail price of $39.99 for a 750mL bottle.
It’s going to be an annual release that mirrors 1792’s award-winning bourbons in distillation and barrel entry proof. According to the news release, rather than using a neutral yeast, Barton 1792 master distiller Ross Cornelissen chose the brand’s signature bourbon yeast, which gives the whiskey a subtle fruit-forward sweetness, balancing the natural intensity of rye.
The whiskey uses a blend of rye grains sourced from Canada, Europe and the northern U.S. The Canadian rye contributes floral notes, the northern U.S. grain delivers peppery spice and the European rye gives it a bready, herbal depth, according to the news release.
It’s 100 proof, and according to the tasting notes has a nose of warm baking spices and spiced fruit jellies. On the palate, it’s assertive rye spice, cinnamon candy and rich molasses, with a long finish of lingering mulling spices and gentle sweet oak.
“We felt the rye reached its peak at 100 proof. Here, the whiskey showcases a seamless integration of rye spice, oak and yeast influence,” Cornelissen said in the release. “Many seasoned bourbon drinkers turn to rye when they’re ready to explore something new. With 1792 Bourbon’s high-rye mash bill, this release offers fans a familiar spice profile with a recognizable rye character.”
The second new release is 1792 XV, a 15-year-old bourbon that is both the oldest in the collection and the first bottled unfiltered at cask strength. This limited release is 124.2 proof, with a suggested retail price of $249.99, available in a special 1-liter bottle with the brand’s signature oversized flat-topped gold stopper.
It’s available now via global travel retail at select airports including Los Angeles International, San Francisco International and South Korea’s Incheon International.
According to the tasting notes, this bourbon builds on the profile of other 1792 expressions and is intense and bold. It has a nose of sweet cola, leather and vanilla extract. On the palate, it’s dark cherries and cocoa, with a finish of rich oak and dark caramel.
“This release wasn’t part of a planned experiment in barrel-proof whiskey,” Cornelissen said. “We noticed that several of our oldest barrels were developing extraordinary characteristics, with flavors and nuances that stood out on their own. That discovery inspired us to do something special, which ultimately led to the creation of XV.”
Produced at the Barton 1792 Distillery, these whiskeys are named for the year Kentucky became a state. The 1792 portfolio includes Small Batch, Single Barrel, Bottled in Bond, Full Proof, Aged Twelve Years, Sweet Wheat and more. Recently, 1792 Small Batch was named Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, while 1792 Aged Twelve Years, Full Proof and Small Batch each received Double Gold at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
