We tend to talk about the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection in hushed, reverent tones, with many thinking about each annual collection as a single entity. But sitting down with all six bottles in one go—as I was lucky enough to do this past November—shatters that illusion. You quickly realize these aren’t just trophies; they are five wildly different personalities competing for your attention.
This was particularly notable this year, thanks to the inclusion of E.H. Taylor Jr. Bottled-in-Bond, the first new addition to the collection since Thomas H. Handy joined the ranks in 2006.
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Since the tasting, I’ve lived with these tasting notes in my head, letting the dust settle on the initial excitement. So, what follows is a personal ranking based on how these whiskeys actually performed in the glass, judged solely on balance, character, and which one I kept reaching back for.
Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2025 Ranking At A Glance
#6. George T. Stagg
#5. E.H. Taylor Jr. Bottled-in-Bond
#4. William Larue Weller
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#3. Thomas H. Handy Rye
#2. Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye
#1. Eagle Rare 17 Year Old
#6: George T. Stagg
Score: 7/10
George T. Stagg is the heavyweight of this year’s Antique Collection, a true hazmat bourbon, coming in at a staggering 142.8 proof. It arrives with authority and makes no attempt to soften its edges.
The nose is dark and concentrated, with rich sweetness, leather, vanilla, and an earthy note that hints at rain on dry ground. On the palate, the intensity hits immediately. Dense oak, vanilla, and dark, sugar-dusted fruit are joined by spiced, nutty notes, but the alcohol presence is unmistakable, bringing a firm astringency when tasted neat.
A small amount of water helps, easing the oak and allowing the sweeter elements to emerge more clearly.
This whiskey is bold, uncompromising, and characterful. In any other situation, I am sure this would have been an 8/10. However, tasted just after Eagle Rare 17 Year Old on the day, the sheer strength proved a little overwhelming.
#5: E.H. Taylor Jr. Bottled-in-Bond
Score: 8/10
The newest addition to the Antique Collection. After many years of rumours, E.H. Taylor Jr. Bottled-in-Bond has made an appearance. With an age statement of over 15 years, E.H. Taylor Jr. Bottled-in-Bond arrived with expectations, and largely met them.
The nose is elegant, showing floral notes alongside maple and soft caramel, with the extended oak influence adding depth. On the palate, toasted grain, buttered corn, butterscotch, rye spice, and oak come through in layers. The structure is firm, with a drying edge that carries into a finish shaped by toasted oak and baking spice.
I was impressed by how familiar and drinkable the profile felt while still offering something more complex than standard Taylor releases. The oak presence is clear but controlled, and the whiskey sits comfortably within the BTAC lineup without feeling forced or out of place.
Yes, this scores the same as the next two bottles in my ranking. Ultimately, it ranked lower only because I found the flavours of the next bottles slightly more compelling on the day.
#4: William Larue Weller
Score: 8/10
William Larue Weller is often one of the most approachable whiskeys in the Antique Collection, and the 2025 release delivers exactly what I look for from this bottling. Despite its 129 proof, it drinks with confidence rather than aggression.
The nose is immediately appealing, led by digestive biscuits, toasted wheat, butterscotch, sugared almonds, and maple syrup. On the palate, those cereal-led notes develop into vanilla, caramel, sweet tobacco, and a continued almond character. With a splash of water, the whiskey opens further, revealing more butterscotch and maple alongside a light charred-oak edge.
What really stands out is the texture. It is full-bodied yet impressively smooth, with the wheat providing a silky mouthfeel without muting the flavour. Complex, balanced, and easy to enjoy, this is classic William Larue Weller.
My only reservation is that a slightly lower ABV might have allowed its buttery, nutty notes to open up just a touch more. But hey, that’s what pipettes are for.
#3: Thomas H. Handy Rye
Score: 8/10
Thomas H. Handy is often the most energetic release in the Antique Collection, and the 2025 bottling fully embraces that role at 129.8 proof. It arrives loud and confident, but with more finesse than its reputation sometimes suggests.
The nose is bright and dessert-leaning, with ripe stone fruit, brown sugar, condensed milk, and a subtle saffron note sitting alongside the rye’s natural spice. On the palate, those fruit notes intensify, joined by toasted oak, pepper, cloves, and a firm hit of heat. The finish is dry and warming, with the spice lingering long after the sweetness fades.
Here, the high ABV works in the whiskey’s favour. It amplifies the spice without overwhelming the fruit, and is super enjoyable at full strength if you like intensity. As I said in my initial review, I think this would work fantastically well in a Sazerac cocktail. I can imagine the peppery notes being complemented by the herbal flavours of absinthe.
This came very close to a higher ranking. It is bold, balanced, and expressive, but was ultimately edged out by the next BTAC bottle below.
#2: Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye
Score: 9/10
Sazerac 18 has long been the understated presence in the Antique Collection, favouring precision and maturity over raw power. The 2025 release, aged just over 18 years, shows exactly why that approach works so well.
The nose is bright and layered, opening with mint and orange zest before moving into nutmeg, cinnamon, birch, and a subtle herbal note. On the palate, it is beautifully composed. Fresh mint and grassy tones lead, supported by baking spice, white pepper, and a sharp green-apple edge that keeps everything lively. There is a satisfying balance between sweetness and earthiness, with nothing feeling overworked or tired.
This is rye at its most refined. Mint-forward without tipping into menthol, spicy without aggression, and mature without losing energy.
As someone who enjoys rye, this came very close to the top of the ranking. It was fantastic. Everything I want from a rye whiskey. Bravo.
#1: Eagle Rare 17 Year Old
Score: 10/10
Eagle Rare 17 was the bottle that defined the tasting for me. While it has long been one of the most elegant releases in the Antique Collection, the 2025 edition stood out for how expressive it felt without leaning on power or heaviness.
What surprised me most was the fruit profile. Bright red fruits, particularly a vivid strawberry note, sat front and centre, giving the whiskey a freshness that is rare at this age. That fruitiness was supported by layers of oak, cream soda, leather, and tobacco, but never overwhelmed by them.
Bottled at 101 proof, it gives enough structure to carry the flavours while letting the complexity (layers upon layers of flavour) unfold naturally. Nothing feels forced.
For me, this was the clear standout of the night. Memorable, layered, and beautiful. I will probably be thinking about this bourbon forever.
The Verdict: A Masterclass in Variety
The 2025 Antique Collection was, above all else, a study in consistency. Usually, in a flight this ambitious, there’s a “black sheep” or a bottle that feels like it’s resting on its laurels. Not this year. Even the bottles that sat at the bottom of my personal ranking delivered quality that would make them the crown jewel of almost any other distillery’s annual calendar.
What really struck me—and what makes the BTAC such a nerdy delight—is how much diversity can be squeezed out of a single operation. I know, calling Buffalo Trace “one roof” is a bit of a stretch considering the sheer scale of the place, but it remains a masterclass in how mash bills and warehouse micro-climates can create such vastly different spirits.
The headline for many will be the inclusion of E.H. Taylor Jr. Bottled-in-Bond, and I really do think it belongs. It didn’t feel like a marketing novelty or a forced addition; it slotted into the lineup with total confidence. It adds a specific dimension of heritage, and I’m already impatient to see how that expression evolves when the 2026 cycle rolls around.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, ranking these whiskeys is an exercise in splitting hairs. When the bar is this high, your “winner” usually comes down to whether your palate is craving elegance or brute force on that particular afternoon.
For me, the 2025 lineup was defined by clarity and balance. It’s a reminder that despite the eye-watering secondary market prices and the relentless hype, the liquid in these bottles still actually matters. I was, and still am, thoroughly impressed. Here’s to the next instalment in 2026.
