Ranking Every Whiskey in the 2023 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection

In the latest video on the Whiskey Raiders YouTube channel, spirits critic Jay West, aka t8ke, is ranking all five members of the 2023 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, from worst (which is still very good) to best.

We recommend checking out the full video, but in case you’re not able to do so right now, we’ll also give you the list in written form.

5. Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye

This whiskey will be loved by fans of big, bold, oaky Kentucky-style rye whiskeys that won’t blow your head off with alcohol content. Bottled at a modest 90 proof, Sazerac 18’s long time in the barrel has imbued it with plenty of oaky tannins. Unfortunately, due to how old it is, this is going to be one of the more limited and toughest whiskeys to track down among this year’s collection.

Check out our First T8ke review on this whiskey here.

4. George T. Stagg Bourbon

Bottled a booming 135 proof, this year’s George T. Stagg bourbon is an oaky whiskey that drinks remarkably pleasantly despite the high ABV. 2023’s Stagg is remarkably well-composed, and this ranking is much less a knock on this expression than it is a round of applause to the remaining three whiskeys.

Check out our First T8ke review on this whiskey here.

3. Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon

The headliner of the 2023 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, this year’s Eagle Rare drew the attention of bourbon fans everywhere for its all-time-high age statement: 19 years and 3 months.

Nineteen long years resting in oak typically lends to a dry, tannic whiskey, but that isn’t the case here. We were shocked to uncover 2023 Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon’s fruity, vibrant and layered flavor profile.

“It’s probably the best Eagle Rare 17 Year that I’ve ever had,” West said in the video. “The combination of the proof at 101 instead of 90. The combination of the oak and the fruit flavor and the structure all just really work together.”

Check out our First T8ke review on this whiskey here.

2. Thomas H. Handy Rye

Thomas H. Handy is a surprise on the list at No. 2. In recent years, it’s been West’s favorite bottling of the Antique Collection but has been usurped in 2023  — despite West’s proclamation that this year’s THH is even better than last year’s. This speaks to just how good the whiskey at No. 1 is.

Probably the most attainable bottle in this year’s Antique Collection, Thomas H. Handy is one of its best.

West loves the dessert character 2023 Thomas H. Handy delivers while maintaining its rye punch.

“This year’s Thomas H. Handy: really fantastic,” West said. “I cannot stop drinking it. I think it’s so much fun.”

Check out our First T8ke review on this whiskey here.

1. William Larue Weller Bourbon

The beloved William Larue Weller wheated bourbon is West’s pick for king of the 2023 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. While Weller isn’t always West’s favorite of the collection, this year’s is a major exception.

“William Larue Weller doesn’t always fall at the top for me; it’s not always my No. 1 bottle,” West said. “But this year it has the viscosity, it had the dessert character, it had just this body and presence, and it was rich, and it was savory and it was so integrated that I had to give it the top [spot].”

This 12-year-old cask-strength wheater is bottled at a powerful 133.6 proof and is deliciously dessert-forward with loads of butterscotch and caramel.

Check out our First T8ke review on this whiskey here.

Be sure to check out the video, drop a “like” if you enjoyed it and let us know what you think about this year’s collection in the comments. And of course, if you aren’t already, subscribe to the Whiskey Raiders YouTube channel for plenty more whiskey content.

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