Sazerac 18 Years Rye

Overview
The Sazerac 18 Year Rye stands as a premium, exclusive expression within the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, one of only two ryes in this coveted lineup. Produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery, it exemplifies aged rye craftsmanship, with pre-2016 releases distinguished by innovative steel tank maturation to preserve balance.

Specs at a glance

Good to know
Introduced as the "big brother" to standard Sazerac Rye under the Sazerac Company, it ties into New Orleans heritage and the legacy Sazerac cocktail. The 2015 release marked the end of the original steel tank batch—13,500 gallons of 18+-year-old whiskey preserved to avoid over-oaking—with post-2015 editions recreated from new stock. Original MSRP was $99, though secondary market prices now exceed $2,000 due to scarcity.

Tasting notes

• Nose: Expert profiles emphasize the refined depth from extended aging.
• Palate: Balanced rye spice with oak influence moderated by steel tank preservation in early batches.
• Finish: Lingering complexity reflective of its pinnacle status in aged rye.

Notable details

• Production: 18-year-old rye held in steel tanks pre-2015 to prevent over-oaking; non-refrigerated post-2015 recreation.
• Lineage: Buffalo Trace Distillery production under Sazerac Company; bumpy history post-2016 amid profile restoration efforts.
• Comparison: Superior, more exclusive alternative to standard Sazerac Rye.
• Availability: Highly difficult to obtain; pre-2016 bottles preferred for authenticity.

"The Sazerac 18 Year Rye Whiskey represents a pinnacle of aged rye craftsmanship, with pre-2016 releases standing out due to innovative steel tank preservation." – Bourboneur.com

Closing
A collector's benchmark for mature rye elegance and distillery innovation.

Sources

[1] Bourboneur – "Sazerac 18 Year Rye Whiskey"

[2] Thewhiskeywash – "Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey"

[3] Adventuresinwhiskey – "2015 Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old Announcement"

[4] Bourbonguy – "Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old — BOURBON GUY"

[5] Thebourbonculture – "Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey Review"

[6] Whiskeyreviewer – "BTAC 2019 Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old"

[7] Adventuresinwhiskey – "Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey (2013) Review"

[8] Adventuresinwhiskey – "Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye Whiskey (2015) Review"

[9] Adventuresinwhiskey – "Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey (2014) Review"

[10] Breakingbourbon – "Sazerac Rye 18 Year (2021) Review | Breaking Bourbon"