{"product_id":"thomas-h-handy-sazerac-rye-2018","title":"Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThomas H. Handy invented the Sazerac cocktail. This uncut, unfiltered rye whiskey bearing his name is Buffalo Trace's most powerful annual release — and the 2019 is exceptional.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye is one of five annual releases in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection — alongside George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, Eagle Rare 17, and Sazerac 18. Of the five, Handy is the rye, bottled at cask strength with zero dilution and zero filtration directly from barrels aged at Buffalo Trace's Frankfort, Kentucky distillery.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe 2019 received a 5-star Highest Recommendation from F. Paul Pacult and a 94.5 from David Broom, who called it \"an extraordinary aromatic nose\" and \"spicy, wild at heart.\" Named for the legendary New Orleans bartender who first put rye whiskey in the Sazerac cocktail, every bottle carries that city's bold, unapologetic character.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich amber with a deep copper hue.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Extraordinary complexity — toffee, fig cake, candied fruit, and a warm spice backbone of cinnamon and clove.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Powerful and lush. Mint, cinnamon, clove, and dark fruit layered over a bold rye grain foundation. The cask strength proof amplifies everything.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and warm — allspice, coconut, nutmeg, and a persistent rye spice that lingers well past the last sip.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eCritical Acclaim\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eF. Paul Pacult's Spirit Journal:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 Stars \/ Highest Recommendation — \"Extraordinary whiskey by any measure.\"\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDavid Broom:\u003c\/strong\u003e 94.5 — \"An extraordinary aromatic nose. Spicy. Wild at heart.\"\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Straight Rye Whiskey\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBottling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uncut, unfiltered, cask strength\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRelease:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2019 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cp\u003eBrowse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/thomas-h-handy\"\u003eThomas H. Handy expressions\u003c\/a\u003e or explore the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/rye\"\u003erye whiskey selection at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWho was Thomas H. Handy?\u003c\/strong\u003e Thomas H. Handy was a legendary New Orleans bartender and saloon owner in the late 1800s who is credited with popularizing the Sazerac cocktail — originally made with rye whiskey, Peychaud's bitters, and absinthe. The rye whiskey bearing his name honors that heritage.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHow does Thomas H. Handy compare to other BTAC releases?\u003c\/strong\u003e Handy is the rye of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection — bolder and spicier than the wheated bourbons (Weller, Pappy) and more grain-forward than George T. Stagg. For rye whiskey lovers, it's the crown jewel of the annual release.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat proof is the Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye 2019?\u003c\/strong\u003e The proof varies year to year as it's bottled uncut directly from the barrel. The 2019 release proof is listed on the bottle label. Adding a few drops of water is recommended to open the nose at cask strength.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs this good for making a Sazerac cocktail?\u003c\/strong\u003e Technically yes — but at this price and proof, most people reserve it for neat sipping. For a classic Sazerac, Sazerac 6 Year or Buffalo Trace's standard rye are more practical choices. Handy is for drinking, not mixing.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e {   \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",   \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",   \"mainEntity\": [     {       \"@type\": \"Question\",       \"name\": \"Who was Thomas H. Handy?\",       \"acceptedAnswer\": {         \"@type\": \"Answer\",         \"text\": \"Thomas H. Handy was a legendary New Orleans bartender and saloon owner in the late 1800s who is credited with popularizing the Sazerac cocktail \\u2014 originally made with rye whiskey, Peychaud's bitters, and absinthe. The rye whiskey bearing his name honors that heritage.\"       }     },     {       \"@type\": \"Question\",       \"name\": \"How does Thomas H. Handy compare to other BTAC releases?\",       \"acceptedAnswer\": {         \"@type\": \"Answer\",         \"text\": \"Handy is the rye of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection \\u2014 bolder and spicier than the wheated bourbons (Weller, Pappy) and more grain-forward than George T. Stagg. For rye whiskey lovers, it's the crown jewel of the annual release.\"       }     },     {       \"@type\": \"Question\",       \"name\": \"What proof is the Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye 2019?\",       \"acceptedAnswer\": {         \"@type\": \"Answer\",         \"text\": \"The proof varies year to year as it's bottled uncut directly from the barrel. The 2019 release proof is listed on the bottle label. Adding a few drops of water is recommended to open the nose at cask strength.\"       }     },     {       \"@type\": \"Question\",       \"name\": \"Is this good for making a Sazerac cocktail?\",       \"acceptedAnswer\": {         \"@type\": \"Answer\",         \"text\": \"Technically yes \\u2014 but at this price and proof, most people reserve it for neat sipping. For a classic Sazerac, Sazerac 6 Year or Buffalo Trace's standard rye are more practical choices. Handy is for drinking, not mixing.\"       }     }   ] } \u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Thomas H. Handy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49128323875068,"sku":"19-088004000035","price":712.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/6605\/2348\/files\/Thomas_H._Handy_Sazerac_Rye_2018.png?v=1779559538","url":"https:\/\/thebourbonvaulthq.com\/products\/thomas-h-handy-sazerac-rye-2018","provider":"THE BOURBONVAULT HQ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}