Buffalo Trace Releases 2021 Antique Collection

In what is a yearly tradition, Buffalo Trace has announced the release of their 2021 Antique Collection. This collection usually includes William Larue Weller, George T. Stagg, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, Eagle Rare 17 Year Old, and Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old. 

However, this year, George T. Stagg will not be released because the selected barrels didn't meet the Buffalo Trace taste standards for the Stagg brand.

Drew Mayville, master blender, director of quality says about Stagg

Quality is always paramount for our products. If the taste doesn’t match our expectations, then we will not release it to our customers. And unfortunately, this year’s yield of Stagg did not meet our expectations. Good news is, we’ll have the barrels we put up in 2007, which are on track so far for a 2022 release, barring anything unforeseen changes.

The four releases are:

• William Larue Weller - Distilled in the winter of 2009 and aged in Warehouses C, D, K, L and Q. This bourbon registers at 125.3 proof (62.65% alcohol). A nose of crème brulee, followed by cherry and toasted graham crackers on the palate and a long rich finish of coca, herbs and oak.
• Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye - Distilled in the spring of 2015; aged in warehouses I, L, O, and K and weighs in at 129.5 proof (64.75% alcohol). The flavor profile includes anise and cinnamon with a rich finish of spearmint and chocolate.
• Eagle Rare 17 Year Old - 101 proof (50.5% alcohol) whiskey was distilled in Spring of 2003 and aged on the first floor of Warehouse P. Has a nose of ripe cherries, vanilla cream and oak, followed by a taste of caramel and coffee and a long finish of oak, pepper and fresh herbs. 
• Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old - Flavors of bright apples and herbs, anise and maple syrup on the palate and a finish of cocoa, coffee and dates. The barrels for this whiskey were filled in the spring of 2003 and it rested on the second and fourth floors of Warehouses K and P. It is bottled at 90 proof (45% alcohol). 

Suggested retail is $99 per bottle. 

My Take

Expect to see these releases in the December OHLQ bottle lottery. Last year, the State had 493 bottles available of the Antique collection and had 94,608 entries for around a 1 in 200 chance of winning. At $99 each, these bottles are a no brainer if you ever see them available.... sadly, the odds of that happening aren't very good. 

What do you think? Drop a note in the comments below. 

Source: Buffalo Trace