Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced the return of its award-winning Antique Collection to Australia, landing this month at select bars around the country.
The Antique Collection was first introduced over two decades ago, and each year comprises releases from five exceptional brands that showcase the craftmanship of the Buffalo Trace Distillery, and its dedication to producing high-quality, award-winning spirits.
This year, the portfolio features all five of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection staples, with the inclusion of Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old Bourbon, the oldest aged Eagle Rare in the collection’s history.
Distilled in the spring of 2004 and barrel aged, Eagle Rare 17 is bottled at 101 proof in tribute to the original Eagle Rare brand launched in 1975. With tasting notes of dark chocolate, cherry pie on the nose, and a dry and spicy finish, the bourbon has already taken home the title of Taste Master at the 2023 American Whiskey Masters.
Gee David, Buffalo Trace Distillery Ambassador, says: “2024 marks a monumental year in the history of Buffalo Trace Distillery, with the company celebrating 250 years as America’s oldest continually operating distillery, surviving prohibition and two world wars, and many more events along the way.
“In a world that’s rapidly changing, Buffalo Trace stands as a testament to tradition and excellence, with whiskeys aged for decades in century-old warehouses and hand-selected barrels purely based on flavour.
“Despite 250 years of continuous distillation, Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley believes the world’s best bourbon is still to be made, embodying our commitment to ‘honour tradition, embrace change’ and making each sip a memorable experience,” he added.
At 19 years and three months old, the Eagle Rare 17 marks the oldest release of the spirit since its 23-year inclusion in the Antique Collection. The rest of the portfolio is made up of George T. Stagg Bourbon, Sazerac Rye 18-Year-Old Whiskey, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Whiskey and William Larue Weller Bourbon.
This year’s Antique Collection is now available to experience in select bars across the country, including Melbourne’s Beneath Driver Lane Bar, Alice Bar in Brisbane, Memphis Slims in Adelaide, The Baxter Inn in Sydney and The Norfolk in Perth.
