Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 129.8 Proof (2025 Release)
Thomas H. Handy has always been the wild child of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.
Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2025
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
Power, freshness and full-throttle rye character.
Distilled in spring 2018 and 2019 and bottled after 6 years and 3 months at a fiery 129.8 proof, completely uncut and unfiltered.
The release
Younger, louder and more aggressive than many of its BTAC stablemates, the 2025 release doubles down on exactly what makes Handy special, raw rye spice, oily texture and barrel proof intensity without filtration getting in the way.
And it drinks exactly how Handy fans want it to.
Energy and lift
Bright spice and oak leap from the glass immediately, backed by fresh fruit, baked apple and warming vanilla underneath the intensity. The palate brings thick rye spice, charred oak and dark sweetness together with a punchy, oily mouthfeel that carries through into a long warming finish.
Despite the proof, there is energy and lift here, something that separates Handy from the older BTAC bourbons. It is less about polished maturity and more about power, freshness and full-throttle rye character. For rye lovers, this remains one of the benchmark annual releases in American whiskey.
In the glass
- NoseBold oak and rye spice lifted by bright fruit, baked apple and vanilla
- PalatePowerful rye spice layered with charred oak, warming sweetness and subtle fruit tones
- FinishLong and warming with lingering oak, vanilla and drying spice
- CharacterPunchy and oily, the wild child of BTAC
Distillery details
- DistilleryBuffalo Trace Distillery
- DistilledSpring 2018 & 2019
- Age at bottling6 years, 3 months
- Proof129.8 proof
- FiltrationNone
- Barrel entry proof125 proof
- Barrel char#4 char
- WarehousesN, L, AA & DD
Allocation
Extremely limited worldwide allocation. Once this year's bottles are gone there is no second run.
