There are only two certainties in one’s bourbon journey life – Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky will release its much anticipated Antique Collection each Fall and it will be near impossible to score a bottle. That said, the details of the 2022 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) is out and we have all the details.
The Antique Collection was introduced more than two decades ago and is comprised of five whiskeys released each fall including George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old and Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old.
Fans of extra aged and uncut, unfiltered whiskies will be excited to see Buffalo Trace Distillery is releasing its full lineup BTAC) lineup in 2022 including perennial favorite George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon which was a no show last year. In 2021 the distillery opted not to release its uncut, unfiltered 15-year-old George T. Stagg Bourbon because it did not meet the Distillery’s standards for the Stagg brand. This year, the team is happy to report that the 2007 Stagg barrels showed up with their classic Stagg presence, full of maturity, balance, and flavor, with a hefty proof at 138.7, its highest proof since 2016.
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
Aged and proofed at the pinnacle of their taste profile set by the distilling and lab team experts this collection is sold separately and only available once a year. Here are details of each expression in the collection:
George T. Stagg Bourbon Kentucky Straight Bourbon
George T. Stagg bourbon was created in 2002 at the request of a fan for a well-aged and barrel strength whiskey. This year’s offering was distilled in the spring of 2007, making it 15 years and 5 months old at bottling. 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 for this bourbon 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.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: Spring 2007
Release: Fall of 2022
Proof for release: 138.7 Proof
Recipe
Large Grain: Kentucky Corn, Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Small Grain: Minnesota Rye
Finish Grain: North Dakota Malted Barley
Cooking / Fermentation
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky Limestone with Reverse Osmosis
Fermentation: Carbon Steel / Black Iron Fermenter
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: Independent Stave
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: K
Floors: 1 and 3
Evaporation Loss: 75.0% of the original whiskey lost to the Angel’s
Bottling
Filtration: None
Product Age: 15 years and 5 months at bottling
Tasting Notes
Nose – Toasted pecan and chocolate sauce.
Palate – Rich blend of baking spice, vanilla, and cherry pie.
Finish – Robust, buttery finish of coffee, molasses, and oak
William Larue Weller Bourbon
The Antique Collection’s uncut, unfiltered, wheated recipe bourbon is William Larue Weller. The 2022 release was distilled in the spring of 2010 and barrels were aged in warehouses C, K and N. This bourbon registers at 124.7 proof. A nose of toasted coconut, butterscotch and caramel, followed by a touch of mint, dark cherry and molasses on the palate and a full-bodied finish with hints of leather, nutmeg, toffee and vanilla can be found in this year’s offering.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: Spring of 2010
Release: Fall of 2022
Proof for release: 124.7 Proof
Recipe
Large Grain: Kentucky Corn, Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Small Grain: North Dakota Wheat
Finish Grain: North Dakota Malted Barley
Cooking / Fermentation
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky Limestone with Reverse Osmosis
Fermentation: Carbon Steel / Black Iron Fermenter
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: Independent Stave
Barrel Entry Proof: 114 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: C, K and N
Floors: 2, 3 and 4
Evaporation Loss: 64.0% of the original whiskey lost to the Angel’s
Bottling
Filtration: None
Product Age: 12 years and 8 months at bottling
Tasting Notes
Nose – Toasted coconut, butterscotch, and caramel
Palate – Touch of mint, dark cherry, and molasses
Finish – A full-bodied finish containing a hint of leather, nutmeg, toffee and vanilla
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
Thomas H. Handy is the uncut and unfiltered straight rye whiskey. This year’s Handy was distilled in the spring of 2016; aged in warehouses I, L and M and weighs in at a hearty 130.9 proof, the highest proof for this whiskey since 2012. The flavor profile includes 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.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: Spring 2016
Release: Fall of 2022
Proof for Release: 130.9 proof
Recipe
Large Grain: Minnesota Rye
Small Grain: Kentucky Corn, Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Finish Grain: North Dakota Malted Barley
Cooking/Fermentation
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky Limestone with Reverse Osmosis
Fermentation: Carbon Steel / Black Iron Fermenter
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: Independent Stave
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: I, L, and M
Floor: 2, 4, 5, and 6
Evaporation Loss: 31.0% of the original whiskey lost to the Angel’s
Bottling
Filtration: None
Product Age: 6 years and 4 months old at bottling
Tasting Notes
Nose – Floral notes, anise, marmalade, and meringue
Palate – Baking spice with a burst of orange peel and subtle dark chocolate
Finish – Long finish of cinnamon, praline, and candied orange
Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
The 2021 Eagle Rare is 101-proof whiskey that was distilled in the spring of 2005 and barrels were aged in warehouses H, K and L. This bourbon 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.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: Spring 2005
Release: Fall of 2022
Proof for Release: 101 proof
Recipe
Large Grain: Kentucky Corn, Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Small Grain: Minnesota Rye
Finish Grain: North Dakota Distillers Malted Barley
Cooking/Fermentation
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky Limestone with Reverse Osmosis
Fermentation: Carbon Steel / Black Iron Fermenter
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: Independent Stave
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: H, K and L
Floor: 1 and 4
Evaporation Loss: 70.0% of the original whiskey lost to the Angel’s
Bottling
Filtration: Chill
Product Age: 17 years and 5 months old at bottling
Tasting Notes
Nose – Hint of tobacco and chocolate covered cherries with a touch of oak
Palate – Caramel, vanilla bean, dark chocolate, and oak
Finish – Full-bodied finish with baking spice, vanilla, and butterscotch
Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey
The 2022 Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old 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. The barrels for this whiskey were filled in the spring of 2003 and 2004 and rested in warehouses K, M and P. It is bottled at 90 proof.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: Spring 2003 and 2004
Release: Fall of 2022
Proof for Release: 90 proof
Recipe
Large Grain: Minnesota Rye
Small Grain: Kentucky Corn, Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Finish Grain: North Dakota Malted Barley
Cooking/Fermentation
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky Limestone with Reverse Osmosis
Fermentation: Carbon Steel / Black Iron Fermenter
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: Independent Stave
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: K, M and P
Floor: 2, 3 and 4
Evaporation Loss: 74.0% of the original whiskey lost to the Angel’s
Bottling
Filtration: Chill
Product Age: 18 years and 6 months old at bottling
Tasting Notes
Nose – Orange peel, lemon zest, and molasses
Palate – A bold blend of black pepper, coriander seeds, and maple syrup
Finish – A well-rounded finish with mint, tobacco leaf, and oak
2022 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) will be available starting early to mid-November with a suggested retail pricing of $99 each, state taxes will vary per market. Retailers determine the final offering price by state and location.
Learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery.
View all Kentucky Distilleries.
View all U.S. Distilleries.
Related Stories
- The 2021 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection is Out; Unfortunately, George T. Stagg is a No Show
- 2021 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Bourbon & Rye Whiskeys by the Numbers
- Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases Limited Supply 2020 Bourbon & Rye Antique Collection – 90° to 134.5° Proof
- Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases Limited Supply 2019 Bourbon & Rye Antique Collection – 90° to 128° Proof
- Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases 2018 Bourbon & Rye Antique Collection – 17 Year Old Eagle Rare Now 101°
- Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases 2017 Antique Collection – 90 to 129.2 Proof
- Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases 2016 Antique Collection – 90 to 144 Proof
- Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases 2015 Antique Collection Whiskeys – 90 to 138 Proof
- Buffalo Trace Distillery 2015 Antique Collection Whiskeys by the Numbers
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