2023 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Contains the Oldest Eagle Rare Bourbon Ever
2023’s Buffalo Trace Antique Collection features the oldest Eagle Rare expression in the collection’s history. (Photo: Buffalo Trace)
On Monday, America’s oldest continually operating distillery unveiled the the 2023 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. The offerings within the coveted collection will be sold separately at a suggested retail price of $124.99 — but will no doubt go on to sell for much higher prices on the secondary market.
The collection contains all of its usual expressions: George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old and Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old. This year’s collection includes a 19-year and three-month-old expression of Eagle Rare Bourbon, the oldest Eagle Rare offering ever to make Buffalo Trace’s Antique collection.
Buffalo Trace’s antique collection hosts some of the most prized whiskeys from the distillery and evolved into its current form of five offerings in 2006, according to Vinepair. 2021 was a unique year because the distillery did not include bottles of George T. Stagg due to the whiskey not meeting the “taste standards” for the brand. The beloved whiskey returned in 2022. Each year there are slight variations to the lineup, adding to the thrill of the hunt if you can snag them all — or even one of the exceedingly rare whiskeys.
This year will notably be a big one for Eagle Rare fans, as the expression was distilled in the spring of 2004, making it the oldest Eagle Rare bourbon to ever make the collection.
Breaking Down the 2023 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon
Don’t let the age statement in the name fool you: This year’s Eagle Rare expression is not 17, but 19 years and three months old. The whiskey was distilled and aged in Buffalo Trace’s Warehouses C, I, K, M and Q. The expression is bottled at the typical 101 proof in celebration of the original Eagle Rare brand, which dates back to 1975. The brand describes this whiskey as possessing aromas of dark chocolate and cherry pie filling, coupled with a well-balanced palate that offers up flavors of caramel-drizzled chocolate sponge cake. The finish is dry and spicy, with earthy cigar box notes. The brand notes that its choice to label the spirit with the 17-year age statement is simply a nod to the spirit’s minimum age requirement. Buffalo Trace considers taste “a priority” and the actual age varies each year.
Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye Whiskey
Sazerac 18-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey’s barrels were filled between fall 2004 and spring 2005. The whiskeys were aged in Warehouses K, L and M. The expression is described as possessing an aroma of dried citrus, more specifically orange. Rye grain, clove and aniseed are also present and give way to a palate of black pepper, vanilla and oak, with tobacco and flowers on the finish, according to Buffalo Trace.
George T. Stagg Bourbon
This 135-proof expression was distilled in 2008, during the spring. The barrels were aged in Warehouses C, I, K, L and M. 2023’s release is described by Buffalo Trace as powerful 15-year and 4-month-old bourbon. The whiskey is described by the distillery as having scents of cinnamon, cherry cola and a balanced mixture of leather, chocolate and vanilla on the palate, with an earthy and potent finish.
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey
2023’s Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey offering is made up of barrels that were aged for over six years. The uncut and unfiltered offering pays homage to the New Orleans bartender who first made a Sazerac cocktail with rye whiskey, according to the brand. This year’s offering hosts a proof of 124.9 and is described by Buffalo Trace as hosting a citrus-based aroma of orange zest and lemon oil, caramel with herbaceous and resinous hints of pine. On the palate, freshly baked rye bread, orange marmalade and honey burst to the forefront, followed by light oak and black licorice.
William Larue Weller Bourbon
The distillery’s uncut and unfiltered wheated bourbon was distilled in spring 2011. The barrels were aged in Warehouse C, L, M and N. This year’s expression hosts a 133.6 proof, which is much higher than last year’s 124.7. Buffalo Trace describes this year’s William Larue Weller Bourbon as possessing aromas of candied dark brown sugar and vanilla bean. On the palate, warm stewed cherries erupt into the glass, coupled with brown sugar crumble and a powerful, lingering finish with baking spice and maple syrup.
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