It’s Fall, the air is turning cooler, the leaves are falling and that could mean just one thing; it’s time for Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky to release its 2024 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC).
Just like clockwork for the last 24 years the latest BTAC release is out and the good news for whiskey fans is this year’s release includes all five bottles including George T. Stagg Bourbon, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey, Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Whiskey, William Larue Weller Bourbon, and Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon. The 2024 BTAC release also marks the 25th anniversary of Sazerac’s acquisition of the Weller brand.
“William Larue Weller Bourbon shines among the Collection this year with its caramel notes and long, creamy finish. It’s fitting that this year also marks the 25th anniversary of Sazerac Company’s acquisition of the Weller brand,” stated Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley.
“For more than two decades, we’ve worked hard to craft the signature flavors that whiskey enthusiasts love, both within the Weller brand and the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Our commitment to this tradition is stronger than ever, and we look forward to carrying it well into the future.”
Each expression in the Antique Collection is housed in a clear glass bottle, displaying its rich color. The back label on each bottle offers a detailed history and description of the whiskey. All of the age profiles, recipes, cooking/fermentation, distillation and aging, bottling, tasting notes and pricing are listed below.
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These whiskies utilize three distinct mash bills, or recipes, from Buffalo Trace Distillery.
- Rye Mash Bill No. 1
- Wheat Mash Bill
- Straight Rye Mash Bill
Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Bottled at its initial strength of 101 proof in tribute to the original Eagle Rare brand launched in 1975, this year’s Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon was distilled in the spring of 2007. On the nose, Eagle Rare 17 delivers complex notes of oak and caramel intertwined with subtle undertones of vanilla and pepper spice with a caramel sweetness evened by the spiciness of rye, toasted oak, and tobacco on the palate. A combination of caramel, pepper, leather, and oak, paired with roasted tobacco and dried fruit finishes this 17-year and 4-month-old whiskey.
Last year’s Eagle Rare-17-Year-Old Bourbon marked the oldest release of the spirit since its inclusion in the Antique Collection. Several well-respected spirits competitions recognized the expression, including the 2024 Whiskies of the World Competition, where the 19-year-old whiskey won a Double Gold, Best in Class medal.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: Spring 2007
Release: Fall of 2024
Proof for Release: 101 proof
Recipe
Large Grain: Kentucky Corn, Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Small Grain: Plump Rye
Finish Grain: Distillers Malted Barley
Cooking/Fermentation
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky Limestone with Reverse Osmosis
Fermentation: Stainless Steel
Mash: Sour
Distillation and Aging
Distillation: Double distilled; beer still and doubler
Proof off still: 140 proof
Barrel: New, White Oak, #4 Char; Charred for 55 seconds
Barrel Maker: Cumberland Cooperage
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: Rick Warehouses
Floor: Lower Floors
Evaporation Loss: 86.0% of the original whiskey lost to the Angel’s
Bottling
Filtration: Chill
Product Age: 17 years and 4 months old at bottling
Tasting Notes
Nose – Complex notes of oak and luscious caramel intertwined
with subtle undertones of vanilla and pepper spice.
Palate – Prominent caramel sweetness balanced by the spiciness of rye
spice, toasted oak and subtle flavors of tobacco.
Finish – Harmonious blend of caramel, pepper, leather, oak,
coupled with depth of roasted tobacco and dried fruit.
George T. Stagg Bourbon Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Buffalo Trace Distillery first released George T. Stagg bourbon in 2002 in response to a consumer request for a well-aged, barrel-strength whiskey. The Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is known for its bold character reminiscent of its namesake, the original purchaser of O.F.C. Distillery, now famously recognized as Buffalo Trace Distillery.
This year’s George T. Stagg sits at 136.1 proof and is comprised of barrels aged more than 15 years and two months. The whiskey presents a powerful aroma of deep aged wood, rich oak, and dark cherry. A layered profile of spice, oak, caramel, and a soft touch of cinnamon hit the palate. Its long and drying finish leaves a lasting impression of complexity and warmth. The 2024 International Whisky Competition awarded last year’s George T. Stagg First Place for the Best Bourbon, American, and Kentucky Whiskey.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: Fall of 2008 through Spring of 2009
Release: Fall of 2024
Proof for release: 136.1 Proof
Recipe
Large Grain: Kentucky Corn, Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Small Grain: Plump Rye
Finish Grain: Distillers Malted Barley
Cooking / Fermentation
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky Limestone with Reverse Osmosis
Fermentation: Stainless Steel
Mash: Sour
Distillation and Aging
Distillation: Double distilled; beer still and doubler
Proof off still: 140 proof
Barrel: New, White Oak, #4 Char; Charred for 55 seconds
Barrel Maker: Cumberland Cooperage
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: Rick Warehouse
Floors: Lower Floors
Evaporation Loss: 61.0% of the original whiskey lost to the Angel’s
Bottling
Filtration: None
Product Age: 15 years and 2 months at bottling
Tasting Notes
Nose – Powerful aroma of deep aged wood, rich oak and dark
cherry.
Palate – Deep, layered profile of bold spice, assertive oak, creamy
caramel and a delicate touch of cinnamon.
Finish – Long and drying, defined by strong oaky notes that linger
pleasantly on the tongue, leaving a lasting impression of
complexity and warmth.
Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey
Bottled at 18 years and five months and named after the official cocktail of New Orleans, the 2024 Sazerac 18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey has scents of oak and leather with subtle hints of ripe plum, rye grain, and earthy undertones. Rye spice, smoke, dark cherry, and a touch of licorice jump on the palate. The finish on this year’s Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye lingers gracefully, imparting subtle hints of tobacco and charred oak.
The 2023 Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye was honored with the Gold “Outstanding” Medal in the 2024 International Wine and Spirits Competition.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: March 2005 and March 2006
Release: Fall of 2024
Proof for Release: 90 proof
Recipe
Large Grain: Plump Rye
Small Grain: Kentucky Corn, Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Finish Grain: Distiller’s Malted Barley
Cooking/Fermentation
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky Limestone with Reverse Osmosis
Fermentation: Stainless Steel
Mash: Sour
Distillation and Aging
Distillation: Double distilled; beer still and doubler
Proof off still: 135 proof
Barrel: New, White Oak, #4 Char; Charred for 55 seconds
Barrel Maker: Cumberland Cooperage
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: Rick Warehouse
Floor: Lower Floors
Evaporation Loss: 72.0% of the original whiskey lost to the Angel’s
Bottling
Filtration: Chill
Product Age: 18 years and 5 months old at bottling
Tasting Notes
Nose – Robust bouquet of oak and leather with subtle hints of ripe plum, rye
grain and earthy undertones.
Palate – Bold burst of rye spice, which mellows into a harmonious fusion of
rich smoke, dark cherry and rye, with a delicate touch of licorice.
Finish – Lingers elegantly, leaving behind faint tobacco and charred oak,
rounding out the experience with refined complexity.
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
The team at Buffalo Trace Distillery filled the barrels for this year’s Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey at 125 proof over six years ago. This uncut, unfiltered whisky is now 127.2 proof, bumping up in alcohol percentage from last year’s nearly 125 offering. Inspired by the bartender who first used rye whiskey in the original Sazerac cocktail, Thomas H. Handy is bottled directly from the barrel, honoring its traditional method from over a century ago.
The 2024 Thomas H. Handy is bold and invigorating with scents of freshly cracked black pepper and cinnamon. Spice and oak flavors are prominent, with a long-lasting finish of cinnamon, pepper, and clove. The 2023 Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey was awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2024 Singapore World Spirits Competition.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: Spring 2018
Release: Fall of 2024
Proof for Release: 127.2 proof
Recipe
Large Grain: Plump Rye
Small Grain: Kentucky Corn, Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Finish Grain: Distiller’s Malted Barley
Cooking/Fermentation
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky Limestone with Reverse Osmosis
Fermentation: Stainless Steel
Mash: Sour
Distillation and Aging
Distillation: Double distilled; beer still and doubler
Proof off still: 135 proof
Barrel: New, White Oak, #4 Char; Charred for 55 seconds
Barrel Maker: Cumberland Cooperage
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: Rick Warehouse
Floor: Middle to Top Floors
Evaporation Loss: 28.0% of the original whiskey lost to the Angel’s
Bottling
Filtration: None
Product Age: 6 years and 3 months old at bottling
Tasting Notes
Nose – Bold and invigorating with a profound spiciness. Freshly
cracked black pepper and warm cinnamon, layered over a robust
oak foundation.
Palate – Beautifully balanced interplay of spice and oak
accentuated by warming spices like clove and allspice.
Finish – Lingering spice notes of cinnamon, pepper and clove
with an oak presence that adds a subtle dryness and complexity.
William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon
The 2024 William Larue Weller barrels aged over twelve years on the lower floor of a rick warehouse at Buffalo Trace Distillery at a barrel entry proof of 114. The Antique Collection’s uncut, unfiltered wheated recipe bourbon is hand-bottled at 125.8 proof and honors W.L. Weller, who pioneered the wheated bourbon recipe, substituting wheat for the traditional rye grain. On the nose of the 2024 William Larue Weller, a blend of new leather, light pipe tobacco, and caramel, enveloped by the warm sweetness of marshmallow and hints of ripe fruit. Rich caramel and toffee notes coat the palate with a long finish and oak, caramel, and fruit notes.
The 2024 Global Whisky Challenge awarded last year’s William Larue Weller Bourbon “Best of Class” North America during the 2024 Global Whisky Challenge.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: January 2010 and February 2012
Release: Fall of 2024
Proof for release: 125.8
Recipe
Large Grain: Kentucky Corn, Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Small Grain: Soft Red Winter Wheat
Finish Grain: Distiller’s Malted Barley
Cooking / Fermentation
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky Limestone with Reverse Osmosis
Fermentation: Stainless Steel
Mash: Sour
Distillation and Aging
Distillation: Double distilled; beer still and doubler
Proof off still: 130 proof
Barrel: New, White Oak, #4 Char; Charred for 55 seconds
Barrel Maker: Cumberland Cooperage
Barrel Entry Proof: 114 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: Rick Warehouses
Floors: Lower Floors
Evaporation Loss: 61.0% of the original whiskey lost to the Angel’s
Bottling
Filtration: None
Product Age: 12 years and 6 months at bottling
Tasting Notes
Nose – Delightful blend of new leather, light pipe tobacco and caramel,
enveloped by the warm sweetness of marshmallow and hints of ripe
fruit.
Palate – Smooth and creamy texture, with an immediate burst of rich
caramel and toffee notes overlaid on a backbone of toasted oak.
Finish – Long and satisfying, with rich notes of oak, caramel, and fruit.
Lines Now Forming for the 2024 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection was introduced in 2,000 and is comprised of five whiskeys released each year in the fall: George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old and Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old. The limited-edition 2024 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection bottles are sold separately and will be available at retail now with a suggested retail price of $149.99 (local taxes and fees will vary).
Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery.
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- Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases 2018 Bourbon & Rye Antique Collection – 17 Year Old Eagle Rare Now 101°
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