Ultra-Rare Bourbons & Ryes Part II
George T. Stagg | Sazerac 18 Year Rye |
Van Winkle Rye | W.L. Weller
In December, we offered a bunch of rarities from the Buffalo Trace Distillery. The offer blew up and nearly everything sold out.
Today, I'm happy to offer a second installment of rarities that we didn't have enough quantity to offer in December.
These are some of the greatest spirits bottled in the U.S. and represent a healthy portion of the best that leaves Buffalo Trace.
The quality of old and rare spirits from Buffalo Trace is incredible. And the world has noticed. Every year we're barraged by calls about these ultra-rare releases. They have become some of the most limited things that we deal with.
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The issue is simple: As Bourbon's and Rye's popularity has soared, the supplies have not been able to keep pace, not by a longshot.
To start with the Ryes, the Van Winkle Rye 13 Year shows the richer, rounder side of rye. The Van Winkle Rye is the hardest-to-find bottling of the Old Rip Van Winkle and Pappy Van Winkle series. It shows classy seamlessness that comes with age. There's rye's telltale spiciness, but also a surprising sweetness for a rye. Sazarac 18 Year Rye delivers plenty of richness due to its extraordinary age, but it also delivers plenty of complementary bright notes. There's ample citrus and floral notes.
The W.L. Weller cask strength is a particularly smooth expression of Bourbon. Whereas most Bourbons involve some rye in the mash, Weller is a wheated Bourbon and this adds a suaveness of texture. Here you get a layered, complex expression boasting notes of toffee and vanilla.
George T. Stagg is a burly and beloved cask strength bottling. George T. Stagg is intense. Power and complexity are the headliners, but what I really love about Stagg is how it balances its aggressive character with a tempering richness and roundness. Stagg is the insider's favorite of the line-up.
Each is a masterpiece in its own right. They are also painfully limited. Many of these will sell out quickly. Please give us your ideal order and we'll try out best.
To order, reply to offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits