Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 2025 129.8 Proof 750ml

Thomas H. Handy is the rye in Buffalo Trace's Antique Collection, the five whiskeys released each autumn that collectors queue for. It's bottled uncut and unfiltered, and this is the 2025 release at 129.8 proof.

The name belongs to the New Orleans bartender who ran the Sazerac Coffee House in the 1800s and is credited with switching the city's famous cocktail from cognac to rye. The whiskey is made at Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, Kentucky. At full strength it opens with cracked pepper, mint, clove and citrus peel over caramel and oak, then rye spice, cinnamon and anise with toffee and dark honey, and a very long, warm finish.

There's no point buying this to mix. If you want a Sazerac, use Rittenhouse; buy Handy to taste what uncut rye can be.

Pour a small measure and add water a little at a time. At almost 130 proof, a teaspoon can change it completely.

We carry it in the 750ml size, in very limited quantities. More bottles are under rye whiskey, and the rest of our whiskey is a click away. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery in Brooklyn, Manhattan & Queens.