WHERE TO GET YOUR HANDS ON THE 2024 BUFFALO TRACE ANTIQUE COLLECTION
Few releases drive whisky lovers crazy like the annual Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Often shrouded in secrecy, this year, the brand has revealed the venues and bottles available for tastings around Australia. The collection is now available at select venues nationwide and includes five of the most sought-after whiskeys on the planet, including a few cheeky Pappy Van Winkle’ and five of the best, as we recently discovered at a private tasting with the brand.
If we’re talking specifics, the portfolio includes all five of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) staples: George T. Stagg Bourbon, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey, Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye Whiskey, William Larue Weller Bourbon, and the oldest aged Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon in the collection’s history with an average age of 19 years and three months old.
“2024 marks a monumental year in the history of Buffalo Trace Distillery, with the company celebrating 250 years as America’s oldest continually operating distillery, surviving prohibition, two world wars and many more events along the way,” said Gee David, Buffalo Trace Distillery Ambassador, SouthTrade International.
“Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley believes the world’s best bourbon is still to be made, embodying our commitment to ‘Honour tradition, embrace change’ and making each sip a memorable experience.” – Gee David, Buffalo Trace Distillery Ambassador, SouthTrade International.”
RELATED: That’s a Wrap! The Best of Sydney Whisky Month Revealed.
Buffalo Trace 2024 Antique Collection
This year’s collection consists of the following bottles:
- Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon: At 19 years and 3 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 flavour of caramel-drizzled chocolate sponge cake, finishing with dry and spicy notes of an earthy cigar box.
- George T. Stagg 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-year-and-4-month-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.
- Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Whiskey: The 2023 Sazerac 18-Year-Old 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.
- Thomas H. Handy Sazerac 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 flavour 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 appears first, followed by a lingering finish of light oak and black liquorice.
- William Larue Weller 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 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.
We were lucky enough to head into The Baxter Inn with the brand for a private tasting of two very special releases: the flagship Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon and Pappy Van Winkle 15-Year Old.
Buffalo Trace 2024 Antique Collection Venues:
- The Baxter Inn, Sydney
- Beneath Driver Lane, Melbourne
- Alice Bar, Brisbane
- Memphis Slims, Adelaide
- The Norfolk, Perth
It’s always best to head into these venues ASAP as allocations vary and tend to go fast. The good news is that those who miss out on these special releases can still get their hands around a glass of Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey as well as other award-winning products straight from the distillery including Weller Special Reserve Wheated Bourbon, Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and Sazerac Rye in major retailers and bars. The Buffalo Trace and apple at Baxter’s is always a good shout.
If you want to win a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle, check out our giveaway, which runs from now until July 14th, 2024.
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