Amongst bourbon lovers, Buffalo Trace is extensively thought-about the most well-liked distillery within the sport.
Sure, opinions range, and all of it depends upon the way you measure reputation, nevertheless it’s no secret that even probably the most quotidian expressions from Frankfort, Kentucky’s largest distillery, are so wanted that they hardly even exist on retailer cabinets. Attempt strolling into your native retailer and readily discovering bottles of Weller, Blanton’s, and even Eagle Uncommon. When such bottles are discovered, they usually command a excessive value, nicely in extra of their famously modest MSRP’s.
Merely put, Buffalo Trace whiskey is extremely wanted. That’s partially due to the dynamics of provide and demand, the place demand for these merchandise vastly outpaces the provision. You even have to provide some credit score to FOMO, which helps gas each the demand and the shortage as many lovers purchase a number of bottles directly every time they do discover these coveted expressions at an affordable value. It’s a vicious cycle with solely the upcoming will increase in Buffalo Trace’s manufacturing capability standing in the way in which of endless insanity.
However whereas followers of the corporate have a troublesome sufficient time discovering a few of Buffalo Trace’s on a regular basis choices, there are just a few bottles within the distillery’s historical past usually solely seen at public sale homes or behind glass circumstances, the true unicorns.
I wished to determine and rank these rarest-of-the-rare bottles from the beloved distillery, not primarily based on rarity or hammer value at Sotheby’s, however quite primarily based on the factor that actual whiskey lovers care probably the most about: the style.
Consider this, nevertheless, as much less of a procuring checklist and extra of a historic document. As a result of although I’m judging these all solely on style, they are fairly rattling costly.
In my travels as an expert whiskey critic, competitors choose, and guide, I’ve had the privilege of attempting variety of totally uncommon whiskeys that Buffalo Trace has produced (even some that stay unreleased). So I’ve acquired a greater vantage level than most when attempting to determine the cream of the crop.
Every of the whiskeys under I’ve been in a position to attempt, and thus whereas this is only one man’s opinion, it is a quite knowledgeable one. In brief, that is about as shut because it involves having a definitive checklist. Additionally, as one closing observe, I did my finest to restrict this checklist to whiskey that Buffalo Trace really distilled, however I made just a few exceptions to incorporate probably the most venerable variations of present product strains that had been really distilled elsewhere (i.e., Vintage Assortment and Van Winkle expressions).
So, with out additional ado, these are the 20 finest bottles of Buffalo Trace whiskey ever produced!
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20. Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Rye (Batch 1)
ABV: 63%
Common Worth: $80
The Whiskey:
E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye has lengthy been teased, hitting the TTB web site just a few years again, nevertheless it’s lastly prepared for market in 2024. Aged at Buffalo Trace Distillery, this brand-new launch marks the second rye expression within the E.H. Taylor lineup, becoming a member of E.H. Taylor Jr. Straight Rye, which is Bottled in Bond.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
With all due respect to Thomas H. Useful, which has produced some high-quality cask energy rye whiskeys through the years, E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Rye is the rye I’ve been ready for from Buffalo Trace. That is the place I wink and say there is likely to be one other cask energy rye in Frankfort that’s even higher than this. However since that expression might by no means see the sunshine of day, I really feel snug calling this probably the greatest Buffalo Trace ryes of all time, and thus probably the greatest Buffalo Trace whiskeys of all time.
19. Outdated Stagg Whiskey Buffalo Trace Prohibition Assortment
ABV: 66.2%
Common Worth: $999 For Full Set
The Whiskey:
Non-age-stated however matured for not less than 4 years, it ought to be observed that this can be a whiskey and never a bourbon, which implies the manufacturing strategies behind it are totally different than these for Stagg and George T. Stagg. Launched as a part of the inaugural Prohibition Assortment, this one stole the present.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
Each editions of the Prohibition Assortment are curious in that they’re solely bought as a set and are available in miniature bottles. The result’s that it focuses your thoughts as you try and not solely savor, but additionally suss out the flavour variations amongst them, realizing that the liquid isn’t lengthy for the world. If I’m being completely trustworthy, it’s simply as enjoyable as it’s irritating to have such a small quantity of whiskey to work with, however throughout the 2 collections, Outdated Stagg is actually the one which I discovered most intriguing.
18. Weller Millennium
ABV: 49.5%
Common Worth: $8,000
The Whiskey:
What precisely is Weller Millennium? It’s a mix of straight bourbon and wheat whiskeys distilled in 2000, 2003, 2005, and 2006, which is able to increase the eyebrows of astute readers. That’s as a result of, for one, this expression doesn’t function an age assertion, regardless of this indication of provenance, and secondly, it’s now the primary expression within the Weller lineup that may be a mix of straight wheated bourbon in addition to wheat whiskey.
Additional, whereas Buffalo Trace isn’t releasing the mashbills of the whiskey that includes this bottling, we’re given the chances of every classic within the mix. To wit, 3% of the mix comes from the 2000 classic, 50% from 2003, 40% from 2005, and seven% comes from 2006.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
If you wish to sip whiskey prefer it’s 1999, that’s to say, if you’d like an ultra-aged expression that delivers a wealthy classic profile, you then’ve discovered the Weller for you. Weller Millennium provides a extra mature tackle the prototypical Weller profile by displaying slight tweaks on the periphery, which serve to raise it on the entire. The oldest Weller expression since some early choices of William Larue, that is really a singular whiskey in Buffalo Trace’s lineup, and matches curiosity with high quality.
17. Colonel E.H. Taylor 4 Grain Bourbon (Batch 1)
ABV: 50%
Common Worth: $1,800
The Whiskey:
Colonel E.H. Taylor 4 Grain Bourbon was first launched in April 2017 and encompasses a distinctive mix of 4 grains (corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley). Regardless of the expression basically being non-age-stated, the press launch for it claims that this bourbon is not less than 12 years outdated.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
Buttery, creamy, silky, whichever is your most popular, dressed-up model of “easy” suits this bourbon like a glove. I’ve had only a few bourbons that so warmly coat your palate with wealthy flavors and go down this easily. The costs that this bottle continues to hit on the secondary market are completely ridiculous, however this could be one of the scrumptious “on a regular basis sippers” of all time if the worth and availability allowed it to sit down on cabinets.
16. Blanton’s Silver
ABV: 49%
Common Worth: $4,000
The Whiskey:
Believed to have been launched someday within the early aughts and sunsetting round 2009, Blanton’s Silver is likely one of the cooler Blanton’s variants on the market. Regardless of clocking in at a barely decrease proof than Blanton’s Gold, this one retained a variety of richness, and it got here with actually cool silver packaging.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
I’ll come clear, this one simply has a sentimental place in my coronary heart. I’ve had some classic bottles of standard Blanton’s Single Barrel that actually hit, and Blanton’s Gold might be my favourite modern model of the lineup. Nonetheless, after I first stumbled throughout this Silver variant, I used to be immediately intrigued, and after one sip, I used to be hooked. You’ll be able to actually make the case that Blanton’s Gold belongs on this spot, however generally Silver deserves the highest spot. That is one such case.
15. Stagg Jr. (Batch 12)
ABV: 66.15%
Common Worth: $600
The Whiskey:
First introduced in 2013, Stagg Jr. underwent some rising pains within the shadow of its large brother George. Early releases had been criticized for being “too sizzling,” however issues steadied out round batch 9. Ultimately, this expression, Batch 12, was stated to be even higher than that yr’s Buffalo Trace Vintage Assortment bruiser. This expression is believed to be someplace between 7-9 years outdated, bottled with out chill filtration at full cask energy.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
Batch 11 of Stagg Jr. was an eye-opener for me. Hell, batches 9 and ten had been rattling good too, however batch 12 is the one which places all of them to disgrace. Whereas subsequent batches of Stagg Jr. (now recognized merely as Stagg Bourbon) have hit a little bit of a droop, batch 12 remains to be the clubhouse chief, and one of many higher Buffalo Trace bourbons of all time.
14. Elmer T. Lee 100-12 months Tribute
ABV: 50%
Common Worth: $1,200
The Whiskey:
To pay homage to what would have been Elmer’s one centesimal birthday on August fifth, 2019, Buffalo Trace launched this particular version of Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon at 100 proof, up from its commonplace 93 proof. Proceeds from the bottle gross sales went in direction of Frankfort VFW Put up 4075, the place Elmer was a member till he handed away in 2013. Sticking with the theme, the bottle was launched with an MSRP of $100.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
Best Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel ever? Whereas there have been various non-public picks below the model’s banner, that is undoubtedly the perfect “normal launch” from the expression that Buffalo Trace has ever put out. Not solely are the story and packaging actually cool, however that bump in proof additionally awards it a lift in taste.
13. Eagle Uncommon 17 (2023)
ABV: 50.5%
Common Worth: $2,900
The Whiskey:
Eagle Uncommon 17 is at all times not less than 17 years outdated. Says so proper on the entrance label. Nonetheless, 2023’s Eagle Uncommon 17 was particular as a result of the vast majority of (if not all) the liquid within the bottle was really 19 years outdated.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
The age of the whiskey within the bottle isn’t as vital as the standard of the whiskey within the bottle, and 2023’s Eagle Uncommon 17 was palms down the perfect within the model lineup’s historical past. This one options the wealthy black cherry observe that Eagle Uncommon is understood for, however with further layers of taste that make it unimaginable to place down.
Truthfully, this one may even be higher than Double Eagle Very Uncommon. The distinction between the 2 is just a matter of splitting hairs.
12. Double Eagle Very Uncommon 20-12 months Bourbon (2021)
ABV: 50.5%
Common Worth: $5,400
The Whiskey:
Double Eagle Very Uncommon midway lives as much as its identify in that it’s the identical whiskey as Eagle Uncommon, however aged twice as lengthy and greater than twice as uncommon (solely 199 bottles of the 2021 expression had been launched). Initially launched in 2019, this expression debuted with an MSRP of $2,000.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
Double Eagle Very Uncommon, previously the oldest Eagle within the model’s lineup, was one of many first expressions on this current wave of high-priced restricted editions from the distillery. It may also be seen as their first step in direction of normalizing hyper-aged, 20+ yr bourbon. Whereas it doesn’t fly as excessive as its successor, that is nonetheless a rattling scrumptious bottle that tastes as luxurious as its packaging would counsel.
11. Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel (My Solely Blanton’s)
ABV: 70.95%
Common Worth: ???
The Whiskey:
From 06-’07, these extraordinarily restricted single-barrel choices had been made out there to pick out Takara Shuzo prospects in Japan. Once I say “extraordinarily restricted,” wrap your thoughts round this: fewer than 5 of those bottles are recognized to be open within the world. As a part of the primary spherical of Blanton’s barrels provided as single barrel picks to non-public patrons, this is likely one of the rarest Blanton’s of all time along with being the highest-proofed Blanton’s launch ever bottled.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
The story of this one is cool in itself, however the whiskey is next-level scrumptious. Undoubtedly, Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel is likely one of the finest expressions within the Buffalo Trace secure of whiskeys, and My Solely Blanton’s is well the perfect barrel-proof Blanton’s I’ve ever tried.
10. O.F.C. 1990 Bourbon
ABV:
Common Worth: $10,500
The Whiskey:
This model was created to honor the O.F.C. Distillery, the unique identify of what we now name Buffalo Trace Distillery (the location itself was beforehand referred to as the Leestown Distilling Firm). As the large quantity on the entrance signifies, this whiskey was distilled in 1990, launched in 2018, and yielded simply 63 bottles, which initially retailed at $2,500.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
The O.F.C. model of bourbon is available in a number of vintages, not all of which I’ve tried, however the 1990 stands out amongst these I’ve. I’ll admit, I had increased hopes for this whiskey after I first tried it, given the restricted nature of the discharge, the maturity of the liquid within the bottles, and the exorbitant asking value. However generally you need to simply admire a bourbon for what it’s, and what this bourbon is, is actually f*cking good.
9. Colonel E.H. Taylor 18-12 months Marriage
ABV: 50%
Common Worth: $4,000
The Whiskey:
This 2020 expression may’ve been the yr’s lone shiny spot. Following the Colonel Taylor lineup’s middling “Amaranth of the Gods” launch, they got here again robust with an 18-year-old model of the restricted version bourbon. This one is a mix of all three Buffalo Trace signature bourbon mashbills, “excessive rye”, “low rye”, and “wheated” in undisclosed proportions.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
I’m truthfully shocked this one isn’t increased on my checklist, however that simply goes to point out how a lot nice bourbon Buffalo Trace has put out. Once I initially tried this expression, it shortly vaulted to the higher stratosphere of my favourite bourbons of all time. Regardless of having been eclipsed since then, that assertion nonetheless holds true.
8. Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Bourbon (Batch 1)
ABV: 67.25%
Common Worth: $3,800
The Whiskey:
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Bourbon was first launched again in 2012 in honor of the person who based the Buffalo Trace Distillery, then the O.F.C. Distillery. This one is believed to include a barely increased rye content material within the mash invoice and is the top of the E.H. Taylor core vary, bottled at cask energy and launched in annual batches.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
I’ve had this expression simply as soon as, nevertheless it left fairly an impression on me and my palate. Even higher? I skilled it in a blind tasting in opposition to batches 2-6, and it was my favourite of the bunch by a rustic mile. That is simply the perfect Colonel Taylor Barrel Proof Bourbon I’ve ever had.
Think about this one the Illmatic of the lineup.
7. Pappy Van Winkle 15-12 months Bourbon (2005)
ABV: 53.5%
Common Worth: $25,000
The Whiskey:
This was the yr that “Pappy” changed the Outdated Rip Van Winkle 15-12 months Bourbon, and whereas observers on the time weren’t happy with the swap (does anybody within the bourbon world like change?), historical past has been variety to our expensive outdated Pappy. You recognize the drill, that is bourbon matured for 15 lengthy years, distilled by Stitzel-Weller and bottled by Buffalo Trace for the Van Winkle household.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon, in fact, would go on to change into one of many defining expressions of the aughts and the bourbon world at massive, profitable lavish reward from the late Anthony Bourdain, incomes marks as probably the greatest American whiskeys of all time, and spawning heists, documentaries, and knockoff variations alongside the way in which. Whereas Bourdain was a fan of the 20-year model, it’s the 15-year providing that has endured as the perfect of Buffalo Trace’s takes on the model.
6. Mister Sam Tribute Whiskey (Batch 2)
ABV: 66.8%
Common Worth: $3,275
The Whiskey:
Mister Sam Tribute Whiskey is what it feels like. Drew Mayville created this expression as a tribute to Sam Bronfman, who was the pinnacle of Seagram’s whereas the Sazerac savant was reducing his enamel there. Constructed from a mix of “the best American and Canadian whiskeys.”
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
That is the largest exception made for this checklist, as a result of technically, Mister Sam Tribute Whiskey is a Sazerac product (Buffalo Trace’s father or mother firm). Nonetheless, it consists of Buffalo Trace bourbon within the mix and was produced by the corporate’s Grasp Blender Drew Mayville, so we’ll enable it. Bourbon followers have a tendency to show their noses up at different whiskey classes, even when the flavour profile aligns carefully with America’s Native Spirit. That’s a mistake.
This expression proves not solely that Drew Mayville might be the perfect blender on this facet of the Atlantic, but additionally that an extremely daring textural expertise can pair with a outstanding depth of taste whenever you mix two totally different whiskey classes.
5. George T. Stagg (2007)
ABV: 72.4%
Common Worth: $4,000
The Whiskey:
George T. Stagg wants no introduction. It’s usually thought-about the expression that took barrel proof bourbon to the subsequent degree. Distilled within the spring of 1992, and launched within the fall of 2007, the specs sheet for this launch tells us that it got here off the nonetheless at 135 proof with 45.23% of the unique whiskey misplaced to evaporation (these are some thirsty angels!) Aged on the primary flooring of Warehouse I, this 15-year and 6-month-old bourbon got here from 94 hand-selected casks.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
The ongoing battle for “finest BTAC expression” is usually a two-man slugfest between George T. Stagg and William Larue Weller. 12 months to yr, the matchup can really go both manner, however within the all-time rankings, there actually aren’t any losers. This hazmat model of GTS is the best instance of what makes the burly, daring bourbon so beloved.
4. William Larue Weller 19-12 months Bourbon (2000)
ABV: 45%
Common Worth: $5,400
The Whiskey:
William Larue Weller is now considered one of many best annual releases on the bourbon calendar, however again in 2000, it was an entire unknown. Regardless of solely clocking in at 90 proof, this future icon of the bourbon world jump-started the brand new millennium with a bang due to this beautiful 19-year-old bourbon, which was distilled within the fall of 1980 at none aside from the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
Regardless of shedding its fastball over the previous few years, William Larue Weller remains to be one of the sought-after bourbons in all the land, usually eclipsing even the Pappy Van Winkle lineup in vital acclaim. Positive, this one was distilled at Stitzel-Weller, and so it has a little bit additional cache among the many bourbon cognescenti, however even tasted blind, it’s unimaginable to low cost simply how scrumptious this expression is.
Undoubtedly, that is the perfect William Larue Weller providing that Buffalo Trace has ever launched.
3. The Final Drop 27-12 months Buffalo Trace Bourbon
ABV: 60.9%
Common Worth: $11,300
The Whiskey:
This unbelievable whiskey comes from a few of Buffalo Trace’s oldest casks and is a mission that Grasp Distiller Harlen Wheatley and Grasp Blender Drew Mayville collaborated on on behalf of The Final Drop model. The bourbon on this mix was initially distilled in 1995, 1996, and 1997, and people ultra-mature casks mixed solely yielded 508 bottles worldwide.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
Buffalo Trace has more and more been attempting its hand at hyper-aged whiskey, blowing previous the 20-year mark on a number of events. This newest launch scratches the top of these makes an attempt. Bottled below the Final Drop model, which is so-named as a result of they intention to seize the final liquid in a number of the rarest casks throughout the globe, this expression isn’t solely a incredible illustration of Buffalo Trace’s most interesting bourbon but additionally a number of the most interesting whiskey in your entire world.
2. Pappy Van Winkle 23-12 months Bourbon Decanter
ABV: 57%
Common Worth: $35,000
The Whiskey:
To be clear, this one was in all probability not distilled by Buffalo Trace, and quite at Stitzel-Weller, the place a variety of Pappy Van Winkle expressions started their life. Nonetheless, this particular launch was put out seven years after the Van Winkle household started their partnership, and thus it “form of form of” falls below the Buffalo Trace umbrella. Initially distilled in 1986 and hand-selected by Julian P. Van Winkle III and Preston Van Winkle from a 50-barrel lot, this expression, produced 1,200 bottles, is non-chill filtered and bottled at a a lot increased proof than commonplace subject Pappy 23, which clocks in at 47.8% ABV.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
I’ll admit I bent the principles a bit to incorporate this expression, however, in equity, it was bottled by Buffalo Trace. I’ve solely had the pleasure of having fun with this expression as soon as, nevertheless it left such an impression on me that I’d be remiss if I didn’t give it particular recognition right here. Moreover, when consulting the whiskey world’s foremost Van Winkle historian, Gil L. Schwarz, who authored the definitive account of Van Winkle whiskey along with his ebook, Van Winkle: The Bespoke Barrels, he was adamant that I embrace this expression in any Buffalo Trace “better of” checklist.
In Gil’s phrases, “It beats anything produced earlier than or after by Buffalo Trace.”
Produced? Maybe. But when we’re speaking about Buffalo Trace distillate, then this subsequent expression deserves the highest spot…
1. Eagle Uncommon 25-12 months Bourbon
ABV: 50.5%
Common Worth: $10,000
The Whiskey:
Eagle Uncommon 25, which was first launched by Buffalo Trace Distillery in 2023, represents the top of their celebrated Eagle Uncommon Bourbon lineup. To create this whiskey, they took barrels that had been initially earmarked for his or her Double Eagle Very Uncommon expression and started growing older them within the experimental, climate-controlled Warehouse P for an extra 5 years starting in 2018.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
A number of firms, Buffalo Trace included, have begun trying to stretch the higher limits of hyper-aged bourbon. It’s an admirable effort that has up to now solely produced checkered outcomes, however probably the most resounding success of all of them is clearly Eagle Uncommon 25.
The vibrancy of this expression is just outstanding for a bourbon that’s rested for 1 / 4 century in new oak, and it {couples} that liveliness with a lush, bordering on decadent, taste profile that lightly coats your tongue and slowly unfurls to disclose the richness of its depths.
Buffalo Trace has put out a variety of legendary liquid within the 155 years since Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr. first established the distillery, which he christened O.F.C., however to name Eagle Uncommon 25-12 months Bourbon the fashionable distillery’s most unbelievable feat isn’t any stretch.
The bourbon world’s oldest Eagle soars increased than all of them.
