Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey (2009 Antique Collection)

Name: Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey (2009 Antique Collection)
Brand: Buffalo Trace
SKU: 088004000035-09
Price: 799.95 USD
Availability: InStock

Price

$799.95

/

✔ Authenticated by the house — seal, fill level, and label inspected before release
✔ Documented provenance on every bottle
✔ Climate-safe, collector-grade packaging

Age: Spring 2002 Vintage (2009 Release) | Region: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA | Proof: 129.0

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Adult signature (21+) at delivery

129.0

Proof

64.5%

ABV

750 mL

Format

Spring 02

Distillation

129.0

Barrel Proof

Kentucky

Region

Rye distilled in the spring of 2002 and aged on the third floor of Warehouse K became the 2009 Thomas H. Handy Sazerac, which Buffalo Trace bottled uncut and unfiltered at 129 proof for the fall 2009 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. It was the youngest whiskey in that five-bottle collection, and the distillery's note for it names allspice and dried fruit.

Nº 01

The Elemental Distinction

01

129 proof (64.5% ABV): Bottled straight from the cask with zero water dilution or chill filtration.

02

Distilled spring 2002: Released in fall 2009 as the youngest whiskey in that year's Antique Collection.

03

Warehouse K, Floor 3: Aged on the third floor of Warehouse K, sharing floor space with the spring 1992 Eagle Rare 17.

04

Official Flavor Profile: Buffalo Trace's published note highlights an intense flavor carrying allspice and dried fruit.

05

2009 Collection Context: Sat third by strength in its release set, under the 141.4-proof Stagg and 134.8-proof Weller.

Nº 02

Buffalo Trace Distillery & Cask-Strength Rye Heritage

Frankfort 2002 Vintage Warehouse K Floor 3 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 2009 bottling delivers intense spice and rich wood oils directly from the barrel.

Nº 03

Craftsmanship & Cask Architecture

Spring 2002 Distillation & Warehouse K Maturation

Spring 2002 Distillate

Kentucky Straight Rye

Distilled in spring 2002 from Buffalo Trace's straight rye mash bill, featuring rye as the primary grain alongside corn and malted barley.

Warehouse K Floor 3

Third-Floor Maturation

Aged on Floor 3 of Warehouse K, where steady rickhouse conditions allowed intense allspice and fruit flavors to concentrate.

129.0 Barrel Proof

Uncut & Unfiltered

Bottled straight from the cask at 129.0 proof (64.5% ABV) without chill filtration or dilution loops, preserving all essential oils.

Heavy Char Cooperage

#4 Char White Oak

Matured in new 53-gallon American white oak barrels charred for 55 seconds, developing rich dried fruit and spice notes over seven years.

Nº 04

Sensory Profile & Strategy

Distillery Tasting Notes

I

Sensory Profile

Nose: Intense allspice, dried fruits, rich cinnamon, and sweet oak.
Palate: Allspice and dried fruit, in a flavor Buffalo Trace called intense.
Finish: Bold, long, and lingering with dried fruit, allspice, and dark molasses.

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

II

Strategic Position

Of the three 2009 Antique Collection whiskeys bottled above 90 proof, the Handy was the only rye and the lowest in strength, trailing the 141.4-proof George T. Stagg and the 134.8-proof Weller released that same fall. Compare it directly with the Handy from the 2008 collection, the 2010 Handy distilled two springs later, and the 126.9-proof Handy released in 2015 in Midnight Whiskey's vault.

Nº 05

Collector Note & Index

Vault Provenance

→

Spring 2002 Vintage Landmark

The 2009 allocation represents a spring 2002 rye distillate aged on the third floor of Warehouse K.

→

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 2009 RELEASE

Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Series Position: 2009 BTAC Allocation
Category: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Proof / ABV: 129.0 Proof (64.5% ABV)
Age Statement: Distilled Spring 2002 (Bottled Fall 2009)
Format: 750 mL

Explore the complete Whiskey collection in Midnight Whiskey's vault.

Nº 06

Technical Specifications

PRODUCER / DISTILLERY	Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky (Sazerac Company)
COLLECTION	2009 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC)
CATEGORY	Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (Cask Strength)
AGE AT BOTTLING	Est. 7 Years (Distilled Spring 2002; Bottled Fall 2009)
PROOF / ABV	129.0 Proof / 64.5% ABV (Uncut & Unfiltered)
GRAIN RECIPE	Kentucky Rye (51%+), Corn, Distiller's Malted Barley
WAREHOUSE / FLOORS	Warehouse K (Floor 3)
REGION	Frankfort, Kentucky, USA
FORMAT	750 mL
SKU	088004000035-09

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

Nº 07

Records & Assurance

Production Methodology

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac is the Antique Collection's uncut, unfiltered straight rye. For the 2009 release, Buffalo Trace distilled the rye in the spring of 2002 at its Frankfort, Kentucky distillery and matured it on the third floor of Warehouse K before bottling it at 129 proof. Under US rules a straight rye is made from a mash of at least 51% rye and aged at least two years in new charred oak containers.

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 2009 Thomas H. Handy?

Buffalo Trace released the 2009 Thomas H. Handy Sazerac uncut and unfiltered at 129 proof, which is 64.5% alcohol by volume. The 2020 Thomas H. Handy was also bottled at 129 proof, so strength alone does not identify the year: the 2009 release is rye distilled in the spring of 2002, while the 2020 release was distilled in the spring of 2014.

What does the 2009 Thomas H. Handy taste like?

Intense, with allspice and dried fruit: that is how Buffalo Trace described the flavor of its 2009 Thomas H. Handy Sazerac rye when it announced the release. The distillery issued no separate nose or finish notes for this bottling, so any fuller tasting description comes from reviewers rather than from Buffalo Trace.

Does a 2009 date on a Thomas H. Handy listing mean the 2009 release?

Not necessarily. Rye that Buffalo Trace distilled in the spring of 2009 was bottled as the 2015 Thomas H. Handy release at 126.9 proof, so a Handy dated by a 2009 distillation year is that later edition. The 2009 release is rye distilled in the spring of 2002, aged on the third floor of Warehouse K and bottled at 129 proof.

Midnight Whiskey · The Vault Buffalo Trace Distillery · Thomas H. Handy Sazerac (2009 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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Thomas H. Handy Sazerac

The Elemental Distinction

Buffalo Trace Distillery & Cask-Strength Rye Heritage