2021 Thomas H. Handy 6 Year Old Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 750ml Thomas H. Handy

Thomas H. Handy 2021 is a highly sought-after bourbon that is part of the coveted “Antique Collection Series” produced at the award-winning Buffalo Trace Distillery. It is named after Master Distiller and innovative bartender Thomas H. Handy. who had a remarkable reputation for making a great cocktail. This rare blend is rich and smooth with prominent notes of anise, mingled with charred rye. On the palate, you’ll notice bold notes of torched oak, and undertones of tobacco, and cinnamon. The finish is smooth with slight hints of spearmint and chocolate. 

Thomas H. Handy 2021 is a bold spirit that has been around since 1782 and he evolved over the years but hasn’t changed in quality. It was a popular spirit in bars and saloons, which used to be called coffee houses. The famed Sazerac Coffee House was founded in 1850 in New Orleans, It was a well-known Saloon were people gathered and enjoyed a fine spirit. Although it was a well-known place, it wasn’t until 1895 that they were mentioned in print. Vincent Miret was a bartender and co-owner at the Sazerac House and had a reputation for being the best mixer of cocktails in the city of New Orleans. The recipe was initially a blend of brandy, sugar, and bitters, but in 1885 the brandy was swapped out for Rye Whisky.

It is mentioned that somewhere between 1895 and 1899, Thomas H. Handy the owner of Sazerac House sold 6 bottled cocktails however there isn’t any mention of a Sazerac until 1901. In 1919 Thomas H. Handy launched the Sazerac Company, right before prohibition took effect. The company managed to stay afloat by incorporating a restaurant and deli until 1933 when they got back into the cocktail-making business. They launched a bar, and lunchroom, and even opened a manufacturing and bottling facility in New Orleans. The recipe was renewed bottled and sold exclusively at the Sazerac Bar successfully until 1949. After the location closed it moved to the Roosevelt Hotel where it is still around today. In 1952 they started launching other spirits such as vodkas and began acquiring other brands.

After they started acquiring distilleries in Kentucky and launched Buffalo Trace in 1999. Their success lead them to purchase several distilleries and brands and has now become one the most recognized companies in the Nation. This highly collectible spirit was a 2022 cask-strength rye-based release from Buffalo Trace’s much anticipated annual Antique Collection series. It is an uncut, and unfiltered Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey and is one of the five bottlings in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection released each fall. For the 2021 release of Thomas H. Handy is bottled uncut and unfiltered at 129.5 proof (64.75% ABV). This straight rye whiskey was distilled in the spring of 2015 and aged in Warehouses I, L, O, and K.