Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 2024
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 2024 is a 63.6% ABV (127.2 proof), 750mL Kentucky straight rye whiskey from Buffalo Trace Distillery — the uncut, unfiltered barrel-proof rye of the 2024 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, aged over 6 years and bottled directly from the barrel. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 63.6% (127.2 proof) — 2024 release, barrel proof
- Size: 750mL
- Style: Kentucky straight rye whiskey — uncut and unfiltered
- Age: Over 6 years (barrels filled at 125 proof)
- Collection: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Fall 2024
- Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky
- Namesake: Thomas H. Handy, the bartender who first used rye whiskey in the Sazerac cocktail
The Barrel-Proof Rye of the Antique Collection
The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection is the distillery's annual release of its most prized whiskeys, and Thomas H. Handy is its rye at full throttle: uncut, unfiltered, and bottled directly from the barrel just as it was over a century ago. It honours the New Orleans bartender who first used rye whiskey in the original Sazerac cocktail. For 2024 the barrels — filled at 125 proof over six years ago — came out at 127.2 proof, up from the prior year's nearly 125. Browse the Thomas H. Handy collection, more rye whiskey, the wider whisky shelves, and the full spirits range at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Buffalo Trace's official 2024 notes: bold and invigorating, with scents of freshly cracked black pepper and cinnamon; spice and oak flavours are prominent on the palate, with a long-lasting finish of cinnamon, pepper and clove.
How to Enjoy
Neat in a tasting glass, rested — at 127.2 proof it opens in waves, and a few drops of water stretch the cinnamon and clove. It is also the historically correct rye for a Sazerac; rinse the glass with absinthe, stir a small pour with sugar and bitters, and go easy — this Handy is built at barrel strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proof of the 2024 Thomas H. Handy? 127.2 proof (63.6% ABV). Handy is barrel proof, so the number changes every year — 2024 is up from the 2023 release's nearly 125 proof.
What is the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection? Buffalo Trace's annual fall release of five limited whiskeys. Thomas H. Handy is the collection's uncut, unfiltered straight rye.
Who was Thomas H. Handy? The New Orleans bartender credited with first using rye whiskey in the original Sazerac cocktail — the whiskey is bottled directly from the barrel in honour of that tradition.
Where is it made? At Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky — despite any stray tag elsewhere, this is a Kentucky rye, through and through.
The 2024 Antique Collection rye at full barrel strength — order Thomas H. Handy online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.