The Story
Uncut. Unfiltered. 18 years. The 2016 annual release of Sazerac Rye 18 Year — one of five expressions in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, released each fall in extremely limited quantities.
The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection is the most anticipated annual American whiskey release. Sazerac Rye 18 Year is its straight rye expression — aged nearly two decades at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, bottled uncut and unfiltered at natural barrel proof. At 18 years, the rye's grain assertiveness has been tempered by long maturation into something elegant and complex that very few American rye whiskeys achieve.
The name connects to the Sazerac Coffee House, established in New Orleans in 1850 — birthplace of America's first cocktail. The 2016 vintage reflects Buffalo Trace's annual barrel selection for that year's BTAC — proof, tasting character, and barrel composition unique to that release.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Mellow spice and dry sweetness, oak, leather, molasses, and allspice with mint and eucalyptus emerging as the whiskey opens.
- Palate: Bold and balanced — cinnamon, vanilla, and the long-matured rye spice fully integrated with the oak structure.
- Finish: Long and warm — mint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, vanilla, and lingering pepper.
Specs
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
- Style: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
- Age: 18 years
- Bottling: Uncut, unfiltered
- Release: 2016 BTAC Annual Release
- Size: 750ml
Explore the full Sazerac collection or browse all rye whiskey at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does the 2016 compare to other BTAC Sazerac 18 Year vintages? Each annual BTAC reflects the specific barrels selected that year. Proof, tasting notes, and character vary between vintages. The 2016 is now several years from primary distribution, making it harder to source than more recent releases.
- What is the BTAC? The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection comprises five annual limited releases: George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, Sazerac Rye 18 Year, and Eagle Rare 17 Year. Released each fall to allocated retailers in extremely limited quantities.
- Why is 18-year rye so rare? Most American rye is consumed between 4 and 10 years old. At 18 years the rye grain's natural assertiveness has been fully tempered by maturation, producing a profile simultaneously bold and elegant. Very few distilleries commercially release rye at this age.
- Is the 2016 still available? In limited quantities through specialty retailers. BTAC releases sell out at allocation and are not restocked.
Description
Uncut. Unfiltered. 18 years. The 2016 annual release of Sazerac Rye 18 Year — one of five expressions in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, released each fall in extremely limited quantities.
The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection is the most anticipated annual American whiskey release. Sazerac Rye 18 Year is its straight rye expression — aged nearly two decades at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, bottled uncut and unfiltered at natural barrel proof. At 18 years, the rye's grain assertiveness has been tempered by long maturation into something elegant and complex that very few American rye whiskeys achieve.
The name connects to the Sazerac Coffee House, established in New Orleans in 1850 — birthplace of America's first cocktail. The 2016 vintage reflects Buffalo Trace's annual barrel selection for that year's BTAC — proof, tasting character, and barrel composition unique to that release.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Mellow spice and dry sweetness, oak, leather, molasses, and allspice with mint and eucalyptus emerging as the whiskey opens.
- Palate: Bold and balanced — cinnamon, vanilla, and the long-matured rye spice fully integrated with the oak structure.
- Finish: Long and warm — mint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, vanilla, and lingering pepper.
Specs
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
- Style: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
- Age: 18 years
- Bottling: Uncut, unfiltered
- Release: 2016 BTAC Annual Release
- Size: 750ml
Explore the full Sazerac collection or browse all rye whiskey at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does the 2016 compare to other BTAC Sazerac 18 Year vintages? Each annual BTAC reflects the specific barrels selected that year. Proof, tasting notes, and character vary between vintages. The 2016 is now several years from primary distribution, making it harder to source than more recent releases.
- What is the BTAC? The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection comprises five annual limited releases: George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, Sazerac Rye 18 Year, and Eagle Rare 17 Year. Released each fall to allocated retailers in extremely limited quantities.
- Why is 18-year rye so rare? Most American rye is consumed between 4 and 10 years old. At 18 years the rye grain's natural assertiveness has been fully tempered by maturation, producing a profile simultaneously bold and elegant. Very few distilleries commercially release rye at this age.
- Is the 2016 still available? In limited quantities through specialty retailers. BTAC releases sell out at allocation and are not restocked.
