Amongst bourbon lovers, Buffalo Trace is broadly thought of the most well-liked distillery within the sport.
Sure, opinions fluctuate, and all of it relies on the way you measure reputation, but it surely’s no secret that even essentially 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, properly 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 tremendously outpaces the provision. You even have to present some credit score to FOMO, which helps gas each the demand and the shortage as many lovers purchase a number of bottles directly each time they do discover these coveted expressions at an inexpensive 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 unending 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 a number of bottles within the distillery’s historical past usually solely seen at public sale homes or behind glass instances, the true unicorns.
I needed to determine and rank these rarest-of-the-rare bottles from the beloved distillery, not based mostly on rarity or hammer value at Sotheby’s, however slightly based mostly on the factor that actual whiskey lovers care essentially 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 decide, and marketing consultant, I’ve had the privilege of making an attempt a superb 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 making an attempt to determine the cream of the crop.
Every of the whiskeys under I’ve been capable of strive, and thus whereas this is only one man’s opinion, it is a slightly knowledgeable one. In brief, that is about as shut because it involves having a definitive checklist. Additionally, as one remaining notice, I did my greatest to restrict this checklist to whiskey that Buffalo Trace truly distilled, however I made a number of exceptions to incorporate essentially the most venerable variations of present product traces that have been truly distilled elsewhere (i.e., Vintage Assortment and Van Winkle expressions).
So, with out additional ado, these are the 20 greatest bottles of Buffalo Trace whiskey ever produced!
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20. Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Rye (Batch 1)
ABV: 63%
Common Value: $80
The Whiskey:
E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye has lengthy been teased, hitting the TTB web site a number of years again, but it surely’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 over time, 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 could be one other cask energy rye in Frankfort that’s even higher than this. However since that expression could by no means see the sunshine of day, I really feel comfy calling this probably the greatest Buffalo Trace ryes of all time, and thus probably the greatest Buffalo Trace whiskeys of all time.
19. Previous Stagg Whiskey Buffalo Trace Prohibition Assortment
ABV: 66.2%
Common Value: $999 For Full Set
The Whiskey:
Non-age-stated however matured for not less than 4 years, it ought to be seen that this can be a whiskey and never a bourbon, which implies the manufacturing strategies behind it are completely 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 miniature bottles. The result’s that it focuses your thoughts as you try to 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, Previous Stagg is definitely the one which I discovered most intriguing.
18. Weller Millennium
ABV: 49.5%
Common Value: $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 can increase the eyebrows of astute readers. That’s as a result of, for one, this expression doesn’t characteristic an age assertion, regardless of this indication of provenance, and secondly, it’s now the primary expression within the Weller lineup that could be a mix of straight wheated bourbon in addition to wheat whiskey.
Additional, whereas Buffalo Trace will not be releasing the mashbills of the whiskey that includes this bottling, we’re given the odds 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 need an ultra-aged expression that delivers a wealthy classic profile, then you definately’ve discovered the Weller for you. Weller Millennium presents 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 Value: $1,800
The Whiskey:
Colonel E.H. Taylor 4 Grain Bourbon was first launched in April 2017 and incorporates 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 well-liked, dressed-up model of “easy” matches 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 may be probably the most scrumptious “on a regular basis sippers” of all time if the worth and availability allowed it to take a seat on cabinets.
16. Blanton’s Silver
ABV: 49%
Common Value: $4,000
The Whiskey:
Believed to have been launched someday within the early aughts and sunsetting round 2009, Blanton’s Silver is without doubt 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 plenty 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 basically 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 may definitely 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 Value: $600
The Whiskey:
First introduced in 2013, Stagg Jr. underwent some rising pains within the shadow of its large brother George. Early releases have been criticized for being “too sizzling,” however issues steadied out round batch 9. Finally, this expression, Batch 12, was mentioned 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 have 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 stoop, batch 12 remains to be the clubhouse chief, and one of many higher Buffalo Trace bourbons of all time.
14. Elmer T. Lee 100-Yr Tribute
ABV: 50%
Common Value: $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 normal 93 proof. Proceeds from the bottle gross sales went in direction of Frankfort VFW Submit 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 a variety of non-public picks below the model’s banner, that is positively the perfect “common 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 Value: $2,900
The Whiskey:
Eagle Uncommon 17 is at all times not less than 17 years outdated. Says so proper on the entrance label. Nevertheless, 2023’s Eagle Uncommon 17 was particular as a result of the vast majority of (if not all) the liquid within the bottle was truly 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 arms down the perfect within the model lineup’s historical past. This one options the wealthy black cherry notice that Eagle Uncommon is thought for, however with extra layers of taste that make it unattainable to place down.
Truthfully, this one may even be higher than Double Eagle Very Uncommon. The distinction between the 2 is solely a matter of splitting hairs.
12. Double Eagle Very Uncommon 20-Yr Bourbon (2021)
ABV: 50.5%
Common Value: $5,400
The Whiskey:
Double Eagle Very Uncommon midway lives as much as its title 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 have 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 latest wave of high-priced restricted editions from the distillery. It can 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 recommend.
11. Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel (My Solely Blanton’s)
ABV: 70.95%
Common Value: ???
The Whiskey:
From 06-’07, these extraordinarily restricted single-barrel choices have been made accessible to pick out Takara Shuzo clients 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 personal patrons, this is without doubt 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. Definitely, Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel is without doubt one of the greatest expressions within the Buffalo Trace steady 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 Value: $10,500
The Whiskey:
This model was created to honor the O.F.C. Distillery, the unique title of what we now name Buffalo Trace Distillery (the location itself was beforehand generally known as the Leestown Distilling Firm). As the massive 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 larger 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 it’s a must to simply recognize a bourbon for what it’s, and what this bourbon is, is de facto f*cking good.
9. Colonel E.H. Taylor 18-Yr Marriage
ABV: 50%
Common Value: $4,000
The Whiskey:
This 2020 expression may’ve been the yr’s lone brilliant spot. Following the Colonel Taylor lineup’s middling “Amaranth of the Gods” launch, they got here again sturdy 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 larger on my checklist, however that simply goes to indicate how a lot nice bourbon Buffalo Trace has put out. Once I initially tried this expression, it rapidly 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 Value: $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 larger 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, but it surely left fairly an impression on me and my palate. Even higher? I skilled it in a blind tasting towards 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-Yr Bourbon (2005)
ABV: 53.5%
Common Value: $25,000
The Whiskey:
This was the yr that “Pappy” changed the Previous Rip Van Winkle 15-Yr Bourbon, and whereas observers on the time weren’t happy with the change (does anybody within the bourbon world like change?), historical past has been sort to our expensive outdated Pappy. You already know 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, after all, would go on to develop into one of many defining expressions of the aughts and the bourbon world at giant, successful 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 keen on the 20-year model, it’s the 15-year providing that has persevered as the perfect of Buffalo Trace’s takes on the model.
6. Mister Sam Tribute Whiskey (Batch 2)
ABV: 66.8%
Common Value: $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. Produced 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 dad or mum 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 aspect of the Atlantic, but additionally that an extremely daring textural expertise can pair with a outstanding depth of taste once you mix two completely different whiskey classes.
5. George T. Stagg (2007)
ABV: 72.4%
Common Value: $4,000
The Whiskey:
George T. Stagg wants no introduction. It’s typically thought of the expression that took barrel proof bourbon to the following 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 ground 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 “greatest BTAC expression” is often a two-man slugfest between George T. Stagg and William Larue Weller. Yr to yr, the matchup can really go both means, 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-Yr Bourbon (2000)
ABV: 45%
Common Value: $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 a whole 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 because of this gorgeous 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 probably the most sought-after bourbons in all the land, usually eclipsing even the Pappy Van Winkle lineup in crucial acclaim. Positive, this one was distilled at Stitzel-Weller, and so it has somewhat further cache among the many bourbon cognescenti, however even tasted blind, it’s unattainable to low cost simply how scrumptious this expression is.
Definitely, that is the perfect William Larue Weller providing that Buffalo Trace has ever launched.
3. The Final Drop 27-Yr Buffalo Trace Bourbon
ABV: 60.9%
Common Value: $11,300
The Whiskey:
This unbelievable whiskey comes from a few of Buffalo Trace’s oldest casks and is a undertaking 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 making an attempt 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 purpose to seize the final liquid in a few of the rarest casks throughout the globe, this expression will not be solely a unbelievable illustration of Buffalo Trace’s most interesting bourbon but additionally a few of the most interesting whiskey in all the world.
2. Pappy Van Winkle 23-Yr Bourbon Decanter
ABV: 57%
Common Value: $35,000
The Whiskey:
To be clear, this one was in all probability not distilled by Buffalo Trace, and slightly at Stitzel-Weller, the place plenty of Pappy Van Winkle expressions started their life. Nevertheless, this particular launch was put out seven years after the Van Winkle household started their partnership, and thus it “sort 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 larger proof than normal subject Pappy 23, which clocks in at 47.8% ABV.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
I’ll admit I bent the foundations 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, but it surely 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 together with his e-book, Van Winkle: The Bespoke Barrels, he was adamant that I embody 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-Yr Bourbon
ABV: 50.5%
Common Value: $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 have 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 a further 5 years starting in 2018.
Why It Belongs Amongst The Best:
A number of firms, Buffalo Trace included, have begun making an attempt to stretch the higher limits of hyper-aged bourbon. It’s an admirable effort that has so far solely produced checkered outcomes, however essentially the most resounding success of all of them is clearly Eagle Uncommon 25.
The vibrancy of this expression is solely 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 plenty 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-Yr Bourbon the trendy distillery’s most unbelievable feat is not any stretch.
The bourbon world’s oldest Eagle soars larger than all of them.
