Review: Buffalo Trace Just Dropped the Best $40 High-Proof Rye Whiskey on the Market

Buffalo Trace’s new Sazerac Rye Whiskey might just be the best bang-for-buck rye on the market. (Photo: Buffalo Trace)

Buffalo Trace Distillery just dropped its newest permanent expression — Sazerac Rye Whiskey Full Proof — and we were granted exclusive early access to taste it. Bottled at a fiery 125 proof and priced at a remarkably low $39.99, this bold new rye might just be the best bang-for-your-buck rye whiskey on the market.

The release marks the latest addition to the Sazerac Rye lineup, joining the classic 90-proof expression and July’s 100-proof installment.. As reported in our launch coverage, Buffalo Trace says Sazerac Rye Full Proof is a result of its massive $1.2 billion expansion.

Our Sazerac Rye Full Proof Tasting Notes

Nose: Sazerac Rye Full Proof opens with a rich, dessert-like nose that expertly balances sweetness and spice. Expect pie crust, molasses, crème brûlée, marshmallow fluff, candied ginger, orange peel and a touch of anise.

Taste: On the palate, Sazerac Rye Full Proof is big, balanced and bursting with flavor; cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, gingerbread, cocoa, brûléed banana and meringue all play in harmony. Despite the proof, the whiskey stays smooth and approachable.

Finish: The finish brings brown sugar, gingerbread, pepper, clove, espresso, leather and charred peaches, leaving a warm, lingering spice that keeps you coming back.

The Verdict

At $39.99, Sazerac Rye Whiskey Full Proof overdelivers in every way. It’s bold yet playful, complex yet drinkable, and just a deeply satisfying rye that feels like a steal. Enjoy it neat to appreciate the layers — or mix it into an elevated Manhattan, where its proof and spice absolutely shine.

If you’re a rye drinker, this is one bottle you’ll want to grab fast. Also, if you’re in Kentucky: Buffalo Trace is hosting a “Sazerac Rye Vertical Tasting” this coming weekend, featuring pours of the 90-, 100- and Full Proof expressions, along with Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye, a member of America’s most sought-after whiskey range, the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Tickets are priced at $10 and include all four samples, a commemorative glass and a small food pairing. Click here to purchase tickets for the tasting. Tickets will sell on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Read our full review here to find out what score we gave Sazerac Rye Whiskey Full Proof.