Review: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2008 Edition
Each year the distilling masters at Buffalo Trace release limited-release whiskeys that connoisseurs will want to seek out. This year’s five whiskeys, rarities that may not see store shelves come 2009, are all worth exploring in depth.
Some notes on each of the five (all officially 2008 releases) follow. (They are pictured in the order reviewed below, from left to right.) Each has a suggested retail price of $65 (though prices will vary based on demand). They are NOT sold as a set.
Sazerac Rye 18 Years Old 2008 – Classic, super-spicy rye, with a sugary kick. Too hot to drink straight (though a “mere” 90 proof in this lineup), it goes down a little too easily with a splash of water. Not as complex as I’d hoped, 18 years might be a little too long in the cask for a rye. Hard to say. Still, it’s a compelling spirit — definitely a good rye for the bourbon enthusiast. B+ [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Eagle Rare Bourbon 17 Years Old 2008 – An extremely appealing bourbon, 90 proof, showing sweet honey laced with very light wood notes. Delightful, clean finish, especially with water. About as perfect as it gets, I can’t really say anything else about it except to go get some. Now. A
George T. Stagg Bourbon 2008 – At 141.8 proof, this bourbon, aged 15 years, is a hunka hunka burning love. Emphasis on the burning. The nose is heavy with molasses and lots of wood. The wood follows over to the glass, so if oak is what you’re after, Staff should be in your glass. The darkest spirit in the bunch, this bittersweet bourbon has more complexity than most, with a complicated, lingering finish that always harkens back to the wood. A- [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT] [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]
William Larue Weller Bourbon 2008 – Another appealing, super-hot wheat-based whiskey, this one aged 11 years (and two months) and topping out at 125.3 proof. (The last 0.3 is the killer!) Loaded with vanilla and Christmas spices, it’s maybe the sweetest bourbon in the lineup, though I preferred the Eagle Rare’s balance just a touch more. A- [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT] [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye 2008 – One last rye, this one far younger than the Sazerac 18 Year at just six years, five months in cask. Proof is another blazing hot one: 127.5, too alcoholic to sip straight but immensely approachable with water. Warming and smooth, it’s got less whiskey-ness, for lack of a better word, but this would be an amazing spirit for cocktails, particularly its namesake Sazerac. B+ [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT] [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]
each $65 [BUY THE COLLECTION FROM FROOTBAT]
Eagle Rare Bourbon 17 Years Old 2008
$65
C- I see the Eagle Rare 17 at my local shop all the time. Are the bottles dated, or, how would I know if I’m getting the 2008? Have you compared any of these to last years bottlings? And yes, the “regular” Eagle Rare 10 is one of my favorites!
Ry.
Ry – There is a space for a handwritten “vintage” on the bottom of the label (you can’t see them in the photo above). The new editions read “Fall 2008.”
These are all slated for “late October” release so they may take a week or two to hit distributor’s shelves… and another week or so to actually make it to stores. Would love to know how that Eagle 2006 vs. the 2008 is!
Thanks Chris.
I checked out my local shop and they had the ER17-but it’s dated 2006, lol. I also noticed several versions of Four Roses tonight to, including an $80 “straight from the cask” version. But, no Marriage.
Ry.
I noticed a bottle of Eagle Rare 10 Yr on the shelf of my local store. Very very nice, and reasonably priced ($27). Immediately elevated to my new current favorite.
i want to kow how much each bottle is worth or by set