Buffalo Trace unveils 2017 Antique Collection

by Amy Hopkins

Buffalo Trace has released its 2017 Antique Collection, consisting of five whiskeys of various ages, recipes and alcoholic strengths.

Launched more than a decade ago, the Antique Collection showcases rare stocks from the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Within the range, the batch of George T Stagg, which this year has been bottled at 129.2 proof (about 64.6% abv), is made up of 309 barrels that were stored across warehouses C, K, M and Q. Distilled in 2005, William Larue Weller wheated Bourbon has been bottled at 128.2 proof (64.1% abv). Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye is an uncut and unfiltered straight rye whiskey that was distilled in 2011. The whiskey has been bottled at 127.2 (63.6% abv). Eagle Rare 17 Year Old, bottled at 90 proof (45% abv), was aged on the first, second and third floors of warehouses C, K and P. Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old is a straight rye whiskey that was filled into oak barrels in 1998 before being moved to a stainless steel tank in 2016 to prevent further ageing and evaporation. “The team had another great year with the Antique Collection,” said Harlen Wheatley, master distiller for Buffalo Trace. “From distillation, to barrel selection, to bottling, this year’s collection showed very well. “I was particularly excited about the William Larue Weller with its extra richness, and the Eagle Rare 17 seemed more rounded and full of flavour. None of these disappointed.” Whiskeys within the 2017 Antique Collection will be available in limited quantities from this October at an RRP of US$90 each. This summer Buffalo Trace announced it will “set new production records” in 2018 as the distillery’s US$200 million expansion progresses, however its Bourbon shortage “will continue for the next few years”.