Buffalo Trace Adds a 100-Proof Sazerac Rye to Its Lineup

Cocktail enthusiasts, take note: One of America’s most renowned rye whiskeys now features a new, higher-proof version explicitly designed for mixology. 

Earlier this month, Kentucky-based Buffalo Trace Distillery introduced a 100-proof version of Sazerac Rye. It’s a new line extension that complements the standard (90 proof) Sazerac Rye and the highly limited Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old (part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection). By increasing the alcohol content from 45% to 50% ABV, Buffalo Trace aims to appeal to both professional and at-home mixologists seeking to craft cocktails with a stronger kick.

“Sazerac Rye 100 Proof was crafted specifically with bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts in mind,” says Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace’s master distiller, in a press statement. “With the renewed interest in classic cocktails that rely on a rye whiskey base, we focused on ensuring this higher-proof spirit delivers complexity and structure without losing its signature profile.”

The latest version of Sazerac Rye uses the same mash bill as its counterparts in the range. While Buffalo Trace doesn’t reveal its exact mash bills, it’s thought to be a “low-rye” recipe with close to the legal minimum amount of the namesake grain, along with a relatively high percentage of corn. In industry parlance, this is often referred to as a “Kentucky style” rye whiskey. 

While neither the 90 nor the 100-proof versions of Sazerac Rye feature age statements, we know they’re at least four years old. It’s generally believed that much of the whiskey used is considerably older, closer to the six-year range.

Buffalo Trace claims the newer, stronger rye offers “enhanced flavor, versatility and control in cocktail creation” and performs noticeably better in a variety of cocktails. This includes the classic Sazerac cocktail, which contains sugar, water, bitters, absinthe or Herbsaint, and either rye whiskey or cognac as the base. When discussing the expanded Sazerac line, the company specifically cites rye’s 21st-century resurgence as part of America’s craft cocktail movement.

“As the whiskey of America’s first cocktail, Sazerac Rye has played a central role in rye whiskey’s resurgence,” says Andrew Duncan, Buffalo Trace’s global brand director. “Bartenders have increasingly embraced 100 proof ryes for the balance, strength, and versatility they provide.”

Company tasting notes for both the 90-proof and 100-proof Sazerac Ryes are similar. Clove, vanilla, anise, and pepper dominate the nose. The palate features “candied spices and citrus, leading to a smooth finish with hints of licorice.”

Sazerac Rye 100 Proof began shipping to bars, restaurants, and retail outlets in early July 2025. The initial rollout targets a few select markets, with an MSRP of $30 for a 1-liter bottle. The slightly larger bottle size is typical for products aimed at bartenders. Additionally, the 100-proof rye will be available through the Sazerac Barrel Select program, allowing qualifying accounts the opportunity to select individual barrels of whiskey.