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 2023 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC).
Just like clockwork for the last 23 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. Of note for 2023 BTAC the Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon is the oldest ever released in the collection’s history.
The spirits in the Antique Collection are aged and proofed at the pinnacle of their flavor profiles to embody the best possible expression of each whiskey. Each expression is stored in a unique crystal-clear glass bottle to showcase its gorgeous color, complemented with a back label that provides a complete product story and description. The limited-edition Antique Collection bottles are sold separately and will be available at retail in early October.
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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
At 19 years and three months old, this year’s Eagle Rare-17-Year-Old Bourbon marks the oldest release of the spirit since its 23-year inclusion in the Antique Collection. This whiskey was distilled in the spring of 2004, and barrels were aged in Warehouses C, I, K, M, and Q. Eagle Rare 17 is once again bottled at 101 proof in tribute to the original Eagle Rare brand launched in 1975. The expression imbues tasting notes of dark chocolate and cherry pie filling on the nose with a well-balanced flavor of caramel-drizzled chocolate sponge cake, finishing with dry and spicy notes of an earthy cigar box.
*17 years indicates the minimum age for Eagle Rare 17 barrels to be bottled. With taste as a priority for the distilling and lab experts at Buffalo Trace Distillery, the age of actual barrels in the whiskey varies yearly to meet its ideal flavor profile.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: Spring 2004
Release: Fall of 2023
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, Lebanon, Kentucky
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: C, I, K, M and Q
Floor: 1 and 2
Evaporation Loss: 78.0% of the original whiskey lost to the Angel’s
Bottling
Filtration: Chill
Product Age: 19 years and 3 months old at bottling
Tasting Notes
Nose – Dark chocolate and cherry pie filling
Palate – Well-balanced flavor of caramel-drizzled chocolate sponge cake
Finish – Dry and spicy with an earthy, cigar box finish
George T. Stagg Bourbon Kentucky Straight Bourbon
At 135 proof, the 2023 George T. Stagg offering was distilled in the spring of 2008, and its barrels were aged in Warehouses C, I, K, L, and M. This powerful 15 years and 4-months-old bourbon is described as having scents of cinnamon and cherry cola and a well-balanced mix of leather, chocolate, and vanilla on the palate, complete with a robust, earthy finish.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: Spring 2008
Release: Fall of 2023
Proof for release: 135 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, Lebanon, Missouri
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: C, I, K, L, and M
Floors: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Evaporation Loss: 68.0% of the original whiskey lost to the Angel’s
Bottling
Filtration: None
Product Age: 15 years and 3 months at bottling
Tasting Notes
Nose – A wave of cinnamon and cherry cola.
Palate – Well-balanced with a mix of leather, chocolate and vanilla frosting.
Finish – A robust, earthy finish.
Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey
The 2023 Sazerac 18-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey release flaunts a scent of dried orange, rye grain, clove and aniseed, a palate of black pepper, vanilla, and waves of oak, and a florally honey and tobacco leaf finish. This collection of rye whiskey barrels was filled between the fall of 2004 and the spring of 2005 and aged in Warehouses K, L, and M.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: Fall 2004 through Spring of 2005
Release: Fall of 2023
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, Lebanon, Kentucky
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: K, L, and M
Floor: 2 and 3
Evaporation Loss: 74.0% 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 – Dried orange peel, rye grain, clove and aniseed.
Palate – A bold blend of black pepper, vanilla, and waves of oak.
Finish – Floral notes followed by honey and tobacco leaf.
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
The 2023 Thomas H. Handy expression is comprised of barrels aged for over six years. Initially launched in response to a consumer request for more well-aged and barrel-strength whiskey, this uncut, unfiltered straight rye whiskey clocks in at 124.9 proof. The flavor profile includes an aroma of orange zest and lemon oil, caramel, and hints of pine. On the palate, freshly baked rye bread spread with orange marmalade and honey appear first, followed by a lingering finish of light oak and black licorice.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: Spring 2017
Release: Fall of 2023
Proof for Release: 124.9 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, Lebanon, Missouri
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: S
Floor: 3 and 4
Evaporation Loss: 27.0% of the original whiskey lost to the Angel’s
Bottling
Filtration: None
Product Age: 6 years and 2 months old at bottling
Tasting Notes
Nose – Notes of orange zest and lemon oil along with caramel and hints of pine.
Palate – Freshly baked rye bread spread with orange marmalade and honey.
Finish – Lingering finish of light oak and black licorice.
William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Crafted in response to a consumer request for more well-aged and barrel-strength whiskey, William Larue Weller is the Antique Collection’s uncut, unfiltered, wheated recipe bourbon. This year’s offering was distilled in the spring of 2011, and its barrels were aged in Warehouses C, L, M, and N. The 2023 William Larue Weller bourbon registers at 133.6 proof, surpassing last year’s proof offering of 124.7. Candied notes of dark brown sugar and vanilla bean are found on the nose, followed by a warm and full palate with stewed cherry and brown sugar crumble and a robust, dense finish enveloped with baking spice and a hint of maple syrup.
Age Profile
Year of Distillation: Spring of 2011
Release: Fall of 2023
Proof for release: 133.6 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, Lebanon, Kentucky
Barrel Entry Proof: 114 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons (66.25 original proof gallons)
Warehouse: C, L, M, and N
Floors: 2 and 3
Evaporation Loss: 66.0% of the original whiskey lost to the Angel’s
Bottling
Filtration: None
Product Age: 12 years and 6 months at bottling
Tasting Notes
Nose – Candied notes of dark brown sugar and vanilla bean.
Palate – Warm and full, with stewed cherry and brown sugar crumble.
Finish – Robust, dense notes of baking spice with a hint of maple syrup.
Lines Now Forming for the 2023 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 2023 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection bottles are sold separately and will be available at retail in early October at a suggested retail price of $124.99 (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.
View all Kentucky Distilleries.
View all U.S. Distilleries.
Related Stories
- Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases Its Full 2022 Antique Collection including George T. Stagg at a Robust 138.7 Proof
- 2022 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Bourbon & Rye Whiskeys by the Numbers
- 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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