The holiday season is said to begin the day after Thanksgiving. But for American whiskey enthusiasts, this is already the most wonderful time of the year. Buffalo Trace has just introduced its annual Antique Collection. Known to bourbon aficionados as BTAC, the legendary Kentucky distillery's annual drop often features some of the most sought-after spirits on shelves today. This year promises to be remarkable even by those extravagant standards. We have achieved an enhanced flavor and are relaying the details of all five relevant bottles.
BTAC 2024 features many of the usual suspects that have marked the lineup since its inception in 2000: Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon, George T. Stagg Bourbon, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey, Sazerac 18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, and William Larue Weller Bourbon.
On the bourbon side, the most accessible of the bunch is Eagle Rare, bottled at 101-proof. For rye, it is 90 proof Sazerac 18. Both whiskeys are made to please the crowd. Easily sipped, each exerts a friendly dollop of caramel on the nose and dried cherry on the tongue, but the Sazerac is distinguished by an added element of mint due to its respective grain profile.
Want the latest whiskey news, deals and reviews? Sign up for the Whiskey Wednesday newsletter.
For those who prefer heat over sweet, the collection includes a trio of uncut, barrel-strength offerings, each threatening to reduce bourbon aficionados to tears. This particular subgroup of sippers has always been enamored of George T. Stagg, perhaps second only to Pappy in terms of the cult respect he inspired. This year's rendition is a 136.1-proof powerhouse that bombards the senses with the spice of cinnamon and tobacco. It has a creamy, butterscotch-like body, but fades into a dry, leathery warmth.
Related: We Tasted Hundreds of Scotch Whiskeys. These 16 Bottles Are the Best of 2024
Rivaling this experience in terms of intensity is the 2024 William Larue Weller release. This is a particularly auspicious type of liquid; Buffalo Trace's parent company, Sazerac, acquired the Weller brand 25 years ago. You can tell that special care has been taken to make this gorgeous wheat truly shine. In fact, Buffalo Trace's master distiller Harlen Wheatley calls this the batch's bottling of choice.
“[It] “It shines in the Collection this year with its caramel notes and long, creamy finish.” “For more than twenty years, we have worked hard to create the signature flavors that whiskey lovers love within both the Weller brand and the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. “Our commitment to this tradition is stronger than ever.”
It's rare to see a whiskey producer play favorites this way. But it would be unwise to disagree with his decision. William Larue Weller is like marshmallows in a glass: a vibrant mix of toffee and toasted marshmallows, bottled at a perfect 125.8 proof.
Hovering around the same ABV mark, this year's straight rye comes from the Thomas Handy label. Although it's only six years old, it's impressively bold, full of savory threads of dill, clove and nutmeg. Naturally, we enjoy sipping it. However, the brand takes its name from the legendary New Orleans bartender who first used rye in the original Sazerac cocktail. So who are we to suggest you not try to replicate his efforts?
What we can authoritatively tell you is that these individually sold bottles are now available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $150 each. But your chances of scoring anywhere near that price are somewhere between hitting a Powerball and being struck by lightning. Last year's complete set currently retails for over $8,000. We recommend making friends with your local liquor store owner instead.
Related: How to Drink Pure Whiskey