Buffalo Trace Distillery releases its 2022 Antique Collection Whiskeys, George T. Stagg returns to the lineup!
George T. Stagg Returns to the Lineup and Showing Up Strong at 138.7 proof!
Fans of extra aged and uncut, unfiltered whiskies will be excited to see Buffalo Trace Distillery is releasing its full lineup of Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) this fall, including perennial favorite George T. Stagg.
Last year, Buffalo Trace opted not to release its uncut, unfiltered 15-year-old George T. Stagg Bourbon because it did not meet the Distillery’s standards for the Stagg brand. This year, the team is happy to report that the 2007 Stagg barrels showed up with their classic Stagg presence, full of maturity, balance, and flavor, with a hefty proof at 138.7, its highest proof since 2016.
The five ensemble members of the Antique Collection are George T. Stagg Bourbon, William Larue Weller Bourbon, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey, Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon and Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Whiskey. These whiskies utilize three distinct mash bills, or recipes, from Buffalo Trace Distillery: rye mash bill #1, wheat mash bill and straight rye mash bill. Aged and proofed at the pinnacle of their taste profile set by the distilling and lab team experts at Buffalo Trace, this collection is sold separately and only available once a year.
Check out the details of each expression in the collection below. Expect to see bottles at your local retailer beginning early to mid-November with a suggested retail pricing of $99 each.
This year’s offering was distilled in the spring of 2007, making it 15 years and 5 months old at bottling. The proof is 138.7, the highest proof for this whiskey in the past six years.
This year’s barrels were aged in warehouse K. Tasting notes for this bourbon call out toasted pecan and chocolate sauce on the nose, a rich blend of baking spice, vanilla and cherry pie on the palate, and a robust finish of black coffee, molasses and oak.
Nose: Toasted pecan and chocolate sauce
Palate: Rich blend of baking spice, vanilla, and cherry pie
Finish: Robust, buttery finish of coffee, molasses, and oak
Year of Distillation: Spring of 2007
Release: Fall of 2022
Proof: 138.7 proof / 69.35% ABV
Large Grain: Kentucky Corn; Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Small Grain: Minnesota Rye
Finish Grain: North Dakota Malted Barley
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky limestone with reverse osmosis
Fermentation: Carbon steel / black iron fermenter
Mash: Sour
Distillation: Double distilled, beer still and doubler
Proof off still: 140 proof
Barrel: New, white oak; #4 char, charred for 55 seconds
Barrel Maker: Independent Stave; Lebanon, MO
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons; 66.25 original proof gallons
Warehouse: Warehouses K
Floor: 1st and 3rd floors
Evaporation loss: 75.0% of the original whiskey lost to evaporation
Filtration: None
Product Age: 15 Years and 5 months old at bottling
The 2022 release was distilled in the spring of 2010 and barrels were aged in warehouses C, K and N. This bourbon registers at 124.7 proof.
A nose of toasted coconut, butterscotch and caramel, followed by a touch of mint, dark cherry and molasses on the palate and a full-bodied finish with hints of leather, nutmeg, toffee and vanilla can be found in this year’s offering.
Nose: Toasted coconut, butterscotch and caramel
Palate: Touch of mint, dark cherry, and molasses
Finish: A full-bodied finish containing a hint of leather, nutmeg, toffee, and vanilla
Year of Distillation: Spring of 2010
Release: Fall of 2022
Proof: 124.7 proof / 62.35% ABV
Large Grain: Kentucky Corn; Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Small Grain: North Dakota Wheat
Finish Grain: North Dakota Malted Barley
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky limestone with reverse osmosis
Fermentation: Carbon steel / black iron fermenter
Mash: Sour
Distillation: Double distilled, beer still and doubler
Proof off still: 130 proof
Barrel: New, white oak; #4 char, charred for 55 seconds
Barrel Maker: Independent Stave; Lebanon, MO
Barrel Entry Proof: 114 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons; 66.25 original proof gallons
Warehouse: Warehouses C, K, and N
Floor: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors
Evaporation loss: 64.0% of the original whiskey lost to evaporation
Filtration: None
Product Age: 12 Years and 8 months old at bottling
Last year’s release earned 97 points and was named in the top 100 spirits by judges at the 2022 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
This year’s Handy was distilled in the spring of 2016; aged in warehouses I, L and M and weighs in at a hearty 130.9 proof, the highest proof for this whiskey since 2012.
The flavor profile includes a nose with floral notes, anise, marmalade and meringue, followed by a palate with baking spice, a burst of orange peel and subtle dark chocolate, and a long finish of cinnamon, praline and candied orange.
Nose: Floral notes, anise, marmalade, and meringue
Palate: Baking spice with a burst of orange peel and subtle dark chocolate
Finish: Long finish of cinnamon, praline, and candied orange
Year of Distillation: Spring of 2016
Release: Fall of 2022
Proof: 130.9 proof / 65.45% ABV
Large Grain: Minnesota Rye
Small Grain: Kentucky Corn; Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Finish Grain: North Dakota Malted Barley
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky limestone with reverse osmosis
Fermentation: Carbon steel / black iron fermenter
Mash: Sour
Distillation: Double distilled, beer still and doubler
Proof off still: 135 proof
Barrel: New, white oak; #4 char, charred for 55 seconds
Barrel Maker: Independent Stave; Lebanon, MO
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons; 66.25 original proof gallons
Warehouse: Warehouses C, K, and N
Floor: 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th floors
Evaporation loss: 31.0% of the original whiskey lost to evaporation
Filtration: None
Product Age: 6 Years and 4 months old at bottling
The 2021 Eagle Rare release was honored with the Chairman’s Trophy at the 2022 Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
This bourbon has a nose with a hint of tobacco, chocolate covered cherries and a touch of oak, followed by caramel, vanilla bean, dark chocolate and oak on the palate and a full-bodied finish with baking spice, vanilla and butterscotch.
Nose: Hint of tobacco and chocolate covered cherries with a touch of oak
Palate: Caramel, vanilla bean, dark chocolate, and oak
Finish: Full-bodied finish with baking spice, vanilla, and butterscotch
Year of Distillation: Spring of 2005
Release: Fall of 2022
Proof: 101 proof / 50.5% ABV
Large Grain: Kentucky Corn; Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Small Grain: Minnesota Rye
Finish Grain: North Dakota Malted Barley
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky limestone with reverse osmosis
Fermentation: Carbon steel / black iron fermenter
Mash: Sour
Distillation: Double distilled, beer still and doubler
Proof off still: 140 proof
Barrel: New, white oak; #4 char, charred for 55 seconds
Barrel Maker: Independent Stave; Lebanon, MO
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons; 66.25 original proof gallons
Warehouse: Warehouses H, K, and L
Floor: 1st and 4th floors
Evaporation loss: 70.0% of the original whiskey lost to evaporation
Filtration: None
Product Age: 17 Years and 5 months old at bottling
This 2022 straight rye whiskey release has a nose of orange peel, lemon zest and molasses, a palate with a bold blend of black pepper, coriander seeds and maple syrup, and a well-rounded finish with mint, tobacco leaf and oak.
The barrels for this whiskey were filled in the spring of 2003 and 2004 and rested in warehouses K, M and P. It is bottled at 90 proof.
Nose: Orange peel, lemon zest and molasses
Palate: A bold blend of black pepper, coriander seeds, and maple syrup
Finish: A well rounded finish with mint, tobacco leaf, and oak
Year of Distillation: Spring of 2003 & 2004
Release: Fall of 2022
Proof: 90 proof / 45.0% ABV
Large Grain: Minnesota Rye
Small Grain: Kentucky Corn; Distillers Grade #1 and #2
Finish Grain: North Dakota Malted Barley
Milling Screen: #10
Cook Temperature: 240 Degrees Fahrenheit
Water: Kentucky limestone with reverse osmosis
Fermentation: Carbon steel / black iron fermenter
Mash: Sour
Distillation: Double distilled, beer still and doubler
Proof off still: 135 proof
Barrel: New, white oak; #4 char, charred for 55 seconds
Barrel Maker: Independent Stave; Lebanon, MO
Barrel Entry Proof: 125 proof
Barrel Size: 53 liquid gallons; 66.25 original proof gallons
Warehouse: Warehouses L, M, and P
Floor: 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors
Evaporation loss: 74.0% of the original whiskey lost to evaporation
Filtration: None
Product Age: 18 Years and 6 months old at bottling
About The Antique Collection
The Antique Collection was introduced more than two decades ago and is comprised of five whiskeys released each year in the fall: George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old and Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old. Buffalo Trace Distillery has been humbled by the numerous awards bestowed on the collection from such notable publications as Whisky Advocate Magazine, Spirit Journal, and “The Whisky Bible.”
About Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and
Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2018 and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2nd and 3rd finest whiskeys in the world for 2020. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit buffalotracedistillery.com.
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