250: Celebrating a Big Milestone with Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2023

In a special episode for Bourbon Lens, we’re celebrating the  milestone of 250 Episodes with a tasting of the new Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC). A special thanks to the team at Buffalo Trace Distillery and Sazerac Company for allowing us this opportunity to taste this ultra limited, highly sought after whiskey collection.  Jake and Scott taste through the 5 bottle lineup of 2023 BTAC and give their thoughts on each.  Which bottle should you seek out to taste at a bar or to add to your home bar?  We give our rankings and overall impressions of this year’s collection. If you’ve had an opportunity to taste any of the lineup, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop us a line and share. And cheers to another 250 episodes of Bourbon Lens podcast; we thank you for your support of Bourbon Lens.

Fast Facts from Buffalo Trace About the 2023 Collection

Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Whiskey

• Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• 18 Years Old
• Proof: 90
• Barrels filled between the fall of 2004 and the spring of 2005
• Aged in Warehouses K, L, and M. 
• Nose: dried orange, rye grain, clove and anise
• palate: black pepper, vanilla, and waves of oak, and a florally honey and tobacco leaf finish. 

Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon

• Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1 “Low Rye”)
• Aged 19 years and three months old - the oldest release of the spirit since its 23-year inclusion in the Antique Collection
• Proof: 101 proof in tribute to the original Eagle Rare brand launched in 1975. 
• Distilled in the spring of 2004. 
• Aged in Warehouses C, I, K, M, and Q.   
• Nose: dark chocolate and cherry pie filling
• Palate: caramel-drizzled chocolate sponge cake, finishing with dry and spicy notes of an earthy cigar box. 

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey

• Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
• Aged for over six years. 
• Proof: 124.9
• Uncut, unfiltered straight rye whiskey
• Initially launched in response to a consumer request for more well-aged and barrel-strength whiskey
• Nose: orange zest and lemon oil, caramel, and hints of pine.
• palate: freshly baked rye bread spread with orange marmalade and honey appear first, followed by a lingering finish of light oak and black licorice.

William Larue Weller Bourbon

• Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Wheated Mashbill)
• Uncut, unfiltered, wheated recipe bourbon.
• 12 Years Old; distilled in the spring of 2011
• Proof: 133.6 
• Warehouses C, L, M, and N. 
• Nose: Candied notes of dark brown sugar and vanilla bean
• Palate: warm and full with stewed cherry and brown sugar crumble and a robust, dense finish enveloped with baking spice and a hint of maple syrup. 
  

George T. Stagg Bourbon

• Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1 “Low Rye”)
• 15 years and 4-months-old bourbon (distilled in the spring of 2008)
• Proof:  135
• Aged in Warehouses C, I, K, L, and M. 
• Nose: cinnamon and cherry cola
• Palate: a well-balanced mix of leather, chocolate, and vanilla on the palate, complete with a robust, earthy finish.

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Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens