Fall is upon us, which means Buffalo Trace Distillery will soon release its annual 2018 Antique Collection of whiskeys.

The collection will once again feature five limited-release whiskeys of various ages, recipes and proofs, with one notable change: Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon will now be 101 proof.

Here’s the full 2018 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection:


George T. Stagg

George T. Stagg, an uncut and unfiltered bourbon, weighs in at 124.9 proof this year. The 2018 release contains bourbon from barrels filled in the spring of 2003. This batch numbered 284 barrels, not quite as much as last year’s yield, but still much more than in previous years. Storage location of these barrels varied across warehouses C, H, I, K, P and Q. This whiskey tastes of dark chocolate, espresso and tobacco, the company reports.

William Larue Weller

The Antique Collection’s uncut, unfiltered, wheated bourbon. The 2018 offering was distilled in the winter of 2006 and aged in Warehouses C, I, K, L, M and Q. This bourbon is 125.7 proof. Flavors include dried fruit, fig and caramelized vanilla, the company reports.

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye

Thomas H. Handy is an uncut and unfiltered straight rye whiskey. This year’s Handy was distilled in the spring of 2012, aged in warehouses I and L and weighs in at 128.8 proof. The flavor profile includes hints of allspice, teaberry and clove, the company reports.

Eagle Rare 17 Year Old

This year’s release is going back to its roots with a proof change from the previous 90 proof back to 101 proof, in tribute to the original strength used when the brand was launched in 1974. This will be a permanent change to the proof for the Eagle Rare 17 year old from this year forward. The 2018 edition was distilled in the spring of 2000 and has been spending its time aging on the first, second and fifth floors of Warehouse C. This bourbon tastes of toasted oak, coffee, spearmint and butterscotch, the company reports.

Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old

This 2018 straight rye whiskey has flavors of dark chocolate, tobacco and cinnamon, the company reports. The barrels for this whiskey were filled in the spring of 1998.

The Antique Collection was introduced more than a decade ago and has become a cult favorite among whiskey connoisseurs. The 2018 Antique Collection whiskeys will be available in limited quantities starting in late September or early October. Suggested retail price is $99 per 750-ml. bottle.