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  • ✔ Authenticated by the house — seal, fill level, and label inspected before release
  • ✔ Documented provenance on every bottle
  • ✔ Climate-safe, collector-grade packaging
Age: 6 Years, 5 Months (2011 Release) | Region: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA | Proof: 128.6
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Midnight Whiskey · The Vault Buffalo Trace Antique Collection · Uncut & Unfiltered Straight Rye

Buffalo Trace Distillery · Frankfort, Kentucky

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac

Straight Rye Whiskey (2011)

128.6 Proof (64.3% ABV) · Aged 6 Years 5 Months · Spring 2005 Vintage

128.6
Proof
64.3%
ABV
750 mL
Format
6Y 5M
Age at Bottling
41
Barrels
Kentucky
Region

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac 2011 is the wheated rye benchmark in Buffalo Trace's 2011 Antique Collection, bottled uncut and unfiltered at 128.6 proof (64.3% ABV). Distilled in the spring of 2005 and matured 6 years and 5 months on Floor 6 of Warehouse K, this 41-barrel release represents an extended maturation profile within the Handy lineup.

Nº 01

The Elemental Distinction

01

128.6 proof (64.3% ABV): Bottled uncut and unfiltered straight from the cask without water dilution or chill filtration.

02

Distilled spring 2005: Aged 6 years and 5 months in new charred oak before bottling in fall 2011.

03

Warehouse K, Floor 6: Matured on the sixth floor of Warehouse K, where elevated heat drove balanced oak extraction across 41 barrels.

04

Minnesota Rye Mash Bill: Crafted from Minnesota rye, Kentucky corn, and North Dakota malted barley.

05

Youngest bottle in 2011 set: Served as the young, high-proof rye anchor of the 2011 BTAC release lineup.

Nº 02

Buffalo Trace Distillery & Cask-Strength Rye Heritage

Frankfort 2005 Vintage Upper-Floor Draw

Distilled at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac stands as the uncut, barrel-strength rye component of the annual Antique Collection. Named after the historic New Orleans bartender who first substituted rye whiskey into the official Sazerac cocktail, this 2011 bottling delivers intense spice and rich wood oils directly from the barrel.

Nº 03

Craftsmanship & Cask Architecture

Spring 2005 Distillation & Warehouse K Maturation
Spring 2005 Distillate

Minnesota Rye Mash

Distilled in spring 2005 from Minnesota rye, Kentucky corn, and North Dakota malted barley double distilled through beer stills and doublers.

Warehouse K Floor 6

6Y 5M Oak Maturation

Aged 6 years and 5 months on Floor 6 of Warehouse K, surrendering 32.53% to the angels across 41 hand-selected barrels.

128.6 Barrel Proof

Uncut & Unfiltered

Bottled straight from the cask at 128.6 proof (64.3% ABV) without chill filtration or dilution loops, preserving full essential oils.

Independent Stave Oak

#4 Char White Oak

Entered new 53-gallon white oak barrels (#4 char, 55-second char, Independent Stave cooperage) at 114 proof in spring 2005.

Nº 04

Sensory Profile & Strategy

Distillery Tasting Notes
I

Sensory Profile

Nose: Bold rye spice, dark fruit aromatics, sweet vanilla, and cinnamon.
Palate: Rye grain spice, dark stone fruits, brown sugar, and toasted oak.
Finish: Long, extended finish with lingering pepper, dark fruit, and balanced oak.

† Official tasting profile notes based on contemporaneous reviewer and distillery disclosures.

II

Strategic Position

At 128.6 proof, the 2011 Handy offers a rich, balanced barrel-strength rye expression. Compare it directly with the 126.9-proof 2010 Handy, the 132.4-proof 2012 Handy, and the 127.2-proof 2017 Handy in Midnight Whiskey's vault.

Nº 05

Collector Note & Index

Vault Provenance

Spring 2005 Vintage Outturn

The 2011 edition represents a 6-year 5-month maturation of spring 2005 rye distillate drawn from Warehouse K Floor 6.

Straight Rye Vault Context

Catalogued within the primary Whiskey Collection and The Vault at Midnight Whiskey.

Evaluated strictly on verified liquid specifications, physical inspects, and primary distillery disclosures.

Collector IndexHANDY 2011 RELEASE
Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Series Position
2011 BTAC Allocation
Category
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Proof / ABV
128.6 Proof (64.3% ABV)
Age Statement
6 Years 5 Months (Distilled Spring 2005)
Format
750 mL
Nº 06

Technical Specifications

PRODUCER / DISTILLERY Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky (Sazerac Company)
COLLECTION 2011 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC)
CATEGORY Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (Cask Strength)
AGE AT BOTTLING 6 Years 5 Months (Distilled Spring 2005; Bottled Fall 2011)
PROOF / ABV 128.6 Proof / 64.3% ABV (Uncut & Unfiltered)
BARREL ENTRY PROOF 114 Proof
BARREL COUNT 41 Hand-Selected Barrels
GRAIN RECIPE Minnesota Rye (51%+), Kentucky Corn, North Dakota Malted Barley
WAREHOUSE / FLOORS Warehouse K (Floor 6; 32.53% Evaporation Loss)
REGION Frankfort, Kentucky, USA
FORMAT 750 mL
SKU 088004000035-11

† Specifications and details verified directly from physical bottle inspects and producer disclosures.

Nº 07

Records & Assurance

Production Methodology

Buffalo Trace distilled this rye in the spring of 2005 from Minnesota rye, Kentucky corn, and North Dakota malted barley. It entered new charred white oak barrels at 114 proof and rested for 6 years and 5 months on Floor 6 of Warehouse K. The 41 barrels lost 32.53% to evaporation before being married and bottled uncut and unfiltered at 128.6 proof for the fall 2011 Antique Collection.

Authentication & Vault Preservation

Every bottle sold through Midnight Whiskey is sourced as an authentic, sealed product and inspected before it ships. Orders are packed with padded, glass-rated handling and require an adult signature (21+) on delivery; we do not ship to anyone unable to verify legal drinking age. For our full sourcing and handling protocols, see our editorial and authentication standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What proof is the 2011 Thomas H. Handy?

The 2011 Thomas H. Handy was bottled uncut and unfiltered at 128.6 proof, or 64.3% ABV. Buffalo Trace bottles this Antique Collection rye at natural barrel strength, so that figure is fixed across the release.

How old is the 2011 Thomas H. Handy?

The 2011 Thomas H. Handy is 6 years and 5 months old. Buffalo Trace distilled the rye in the spring of 2005 and bottled it straight from the wood in the fall of 2011 for that year's Antique Collection.

Is a 127.2 proof or 63.6% bottle a 2011 Thomas H. Handy?

No. A bottle reading 127.2 proof (63.6% ABV) is the 2017 Thomas H. Handy release, which was made from rye distilled in spring 2011. The 2011 Thomas H. Handy release is 128.6 proof (64.3% ABV). Check the proof or alcohol by volume printed on the front label to confirm the vintage.

Midnight Whiskey · The Vault Buffalo Trace Distillery · Thomas H. Handy Sazerac (2011 Release)
Shipping information

Adult Signature Required: Federal law requires an adult (21+) with a valid government ID to sign for all deliveries. Carriers cannot leave alcohol unattended.

Processing Time: Most orders process within 1–8 business days. You will receive a tracking number via email as soon as your bottle ships.

Insured Shipping: We strongly recommend electing Shipping Protection at checkout. Midnight Whiskey is not liable for loss or damage once in the carrier's possession unless insurance is purchased.

Restrictions: We ship only within the permitted U.S. states and cannot deliver to P.O. Boxes or U.S. Territories.

All Sales Final: Due to alcohol regulations, we cannot accept returns for change of mind.

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