Latest news with #SazeracRye
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Buffalo Trace Releases New 100-Proof Sazerac Rye
Produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery, Sazerac Rye's first line extension in years is a nod to the rising demand for more intense, cocktail-ready whiskeys. Courtesy: Sazerac In the ever-evolving world of American whiskey, proof is more than just a number on a label—it's a signal. For bartenders, it's about structure. For collectors, it's about character. And for everyday drinkers, it's increasingly about intensity. With the debut of Sazerac Rye Whiskey 100 Proof, Buffalo Trace is responding to all three groups in one move, offering a stronger expression of a rye that already occupies a storied place behind the bar. The July 2025 announcement from Frankfort, KY marks the first major evolution of the core Sazerac Rye in years, and while a ten-point bump in proof might seem incremental, the implications are not. This release isn't just a higher-octane version of the familiar 90-proof rye. It represents a clear acknowledgment that the market has shifted—toward bigger flavors, bolder builds, and the rising expectations of bartenders crafting serious cocktails. 'Bartenders have increasingly embraced 100 proof ryes for the balance, strength and versatility they provide,' said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery, in a statement. 'Sazerac Rye 100 Proof offers greater control over flavor and balance, empowering creativity behind the bar.' For cocktail professionals building multi-ingredient drinks where a number of flavors jockey for position, 100 proof is fast becoming the sweet spot. It's a signal to bartenders that a whiskey can handle mixing without getting lost, especially in classics like the Manhattan or, naturally, the Sazerac. It's no coincidence that this new expression joins the Sazerac Barrel Select (SBS) program, offering bars the opportunity to put their own stamp on a single barrel of this higher-proof rye. The original Sazerac Rye has long had a loyal following, thanks to its spicy, dry profile and value-driven pricing. It's a gateway rye for many, and a workhorse for bars that want a reliable, flavorful base spirit. But in recent years, demand has swelled for rye whiskeys that offer more power and presence. With Sazerac Rye 100 Proof, Buffalo Trace is effectively acknowledging that the training wheels can come off. Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley describes the new release as being built with bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts in mind. 'We focused on ensuring this higher-proof spirit delivers complexity and structure without losing its signature profile,' he said in a statement. That promise seems to hold up on the palate: candied spice, citrus, and the signature rye pepper come through with more clarity and weight. The result is a bottle that feels calibrated for the realities of the modern bar, while still able to hold up to being tasted neat. At $29.99 for a 1-liter bottle, this release also speaks to access, which has always been an important aspect of Buffalo Trace's marketing plays. From releases like their new Eagle Rare 12, to their line of George T. Stagg, to one-offs like the new E.H. Taylor, Buffalo Trace has always kept a close eye on keeping supply tight. The sense of rarity consistently sparks customer intrigue and keeps prices high—so the fact that the new Sazerac Rye 100 Proof is being put out at this price point speaks to the brand's confidence in the demand for a bar-ready, budget-conscious whiskey for consumers looking for high-proof spirits. It's an interest that shows no sign of slowing.
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Buffalo Trace Just Dropped A 100-Proof Sazerac Rye—here's What To Know
Sazerac Rye 100 Proof For more than a century, Sazerac Rye has been synonymous with the cocktail that bears its name—a rye-forward classic born in the heart of New Orleans. Now, Buffalo Trace Distillery is giving bartenders a bolder tool for modern mixology with the release of Sazerac Rye Whiskey 100 Proof. The new expression ,unveiled at an event Sunday evening in New Orleans at the Tale of the Cocktail conference, dials up Sazerac's ABV while preserving the spicy, smooth character that's made the original a staple behind the bar. It's tailor-made for those building Sazeracs, Manhattans, and other rye-based classics that benefit from a little extra backbone. At 100 proof, this version of the classic New Orleans-born whiskey offers more structure and spice while maintaining the smooth, citrusy warmth that made its 90-proof sibling a staple in classic cocktails like the Sazerac and Manhattan. The release answers a growing call from the trade community for higher-proof rye spirits that can stand up to dilution and bold ingredients. ' Made for Mixing (and Sipping) Sazerac Rye While the DNA of Sazerac Rye remains intact—clove, vanilla, and pepper are all present and accounted for; however the 100-proof version adds deeper complexity, with bolder citrus and spice flavors and a soft licorice finish. Think classic Sazerac Rye, but punchier. That extra 10 proof makes a big difference when it comes to cocktail construction, and allows bartenders to preserve the flavor integrity of the whiskey in stirred or shaken drinks without compromising the whiskey's balance. According to the brand, the new expression was crafted specifically to elevate cocktail-making without losing the approachable charm that's long made Sazerac Rye a go-to. From Apothecary to Icon: The History of Sazerac Sazerac Rye takes its name from the legendary Sazerac House, a New Orleans apothecary-turned-salon that helped birth one of America's very first cocktails. In the early 1800s, Antoine Peychaud—an apothecary known for his proprietary bitters—began serving a mix of rye whiskey, bitters, sugar, and absinthe to guests in a cozier, more social setting than a traditional bar. The cocktail would eventually take on the name of the Sazerac House itself, and the rye whiskey at its core became inextricably linked with the city's drinking culture. The Sazerac Company, now one of the largest privately held spirits companies in the world, carries on that legacy, with Sazerac Rye produced today at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. While the majority of Sazerac no longer made in New Orleans, the brand still makes a small amount of Sazerac Rye on-site in New Orleans in a small 500-gallon distillery within Sazerac House. The Sazerac cocktail is also recognized by the Louisiana legislature as the official cocktail of New Orleans. A New Frontier for Barrel Selection In addition to its retail launch, the 100-proof rye will also be offered through the Sazerac Barrel Select (SBS) program, giving bars and restaurants the chance to pick their own single barrel. The first 100 on-premise partners to make a selection will receive a limited-edition commemorative barrelhead—a nod to the whiskey's roots and its future as a fixture in bar programs nationwide. Sazerac Rye Whiskey 100 Proof is now hitting shelves now in select markets at a suggested retail price of $29.99 per 1L bottle,.
