Need some help on a decision, Buffalo Trace collection.

[autiger23]

I ran across a bottle of each of the 4 antique collection bottles. I have had none of these, so which one if the best and should be the top of my list. I will likely buy 2 of the four but wanted to get some help from this crowd. All were $82 except for the Stagg which was $87. A little steep?

George Stagg 2010

Eagle Rare 17

Thomas Handy

William Larue Weller

They also had 4 bottles of the Woodford Reserve Masters Collection, believe it was the oak finish, those were $93.

THANKS GUYS!

[hectic1]

I ran across a bottle of each of the 4 antique collection bottles. I have had none of these, so which one if the best and should be the top of my list. I will likely buy 2 of the four but wanted to get some help from this crowd.

George Stagg 2010

Eagle Rare 17

Thomas Handy

William Larue Weller

THANKS GUYS!

For me this is an easy decision...the GTS and WLW would be in my hands heading home with me.

[autiger23]

Some of the guys I hang out with harp ER17 at the top of their list and I have always wanted the TH, but George is a must.

Prices good or pretty high? Thought I was pretty lucky to find them and they guys is holding the four for me till tomorrow.

[sku]

You should definitely get the Stagg if you've never had it.

I would eliminate the Eagle Rare, which is never as good as the others.

Then just pick what you'd favor, wheated Bourbon or straight rye. Two very different, but generally excellent whiskeys (I haven't had any of the 2010s yet, so this is just based on my general experience with the series).

[kickert]

I would say go with the WLW and Stagg... those are the best values in terms of age and proof (and I would say flavor too!)

Here in KY I can find them from $75-99. So your prices are a bit higher than what is usually available, but not outrageous.

[MissinER101]

I have some GTS reserved and am itching to get my hands on both the WLW and the THH so it would be REAL hard for me to to pick just one. Like GTS is the sultry brunette and then deciding between the blonde or the redhead, each offers a different experience, neither one "better" than the other.

[CaptainQ]

I have some GTS reserved and am itching to get my hands on both the WLW and the THH so it would be REAL hard for me to to pick just one. Like GTS is the sultry brunette and then deciding between the blonde or the redhead, each offers a different experience, neither one "better" than the other.

[White Dog]

As others have said, it depends on whether you prefer wheat or rye.

I would say:

1. GTS

2. THH

3. WLW

4. Ask the store when they're getting this year's allocation of VWFRR, and reserve 6 bottles. :grin:

[jmpyle]

Agree with some of the others. Stagg and WLW are the cream of this crop consistently. BUT, I have not had this year's Antique Collection yet. However, over the years, those are the 2 I find better than the rest.

[autiger23]

Thanks for the feedback, anyone else? I am going to choose Monday, so any other feedback would be nice to have as i am interested to hear all opinions.

GTS is definitely one of the two. I am down to the Weller and Handy.

[silverfish]

Thanks for the feedback, anyone else?

I'd vote Weller.

[OscarV]

Thanks for the feedback, anyone else?

I'm going to get 2 bots of Larue and 1 Stagg and pass on the rest.

That's what I'd suggest.

[barturtle]

I'm not sure where you're located, but considering the number of barrel proof wheaters on the shelves these days, I'd go with the Handy

[TNbourbon]

There's really no way to know until you open and sample them. In any given year, any one of them may be the 'star' of the litter.

For my money, the one most likely to be 'different' from anything else you've experienced is the ER17, which in its best renditions can be like a $300 bottle of Cognac is to Paul Masson brandy.

[MissinER101]

Sir, I like that analogy.

[JohnHansell]

Does this help you with your decision?

[Vosgar]

I'd go for the Weller. Around here, the Stagg and Handy from last year are still available, but I've yet to see a Weller. There's not that many barrels being bottled so grab some while you can.

Gary

[StraightBoston]

I haven't been on SB.com for a few weeks -- does this mean the 2010 BTAC has begun hitting the shelves?

[StraightBoston]

Duh... hadn't found [thread=14583]this thread[/thread] yet!

Apropos this discussion: I alway pick up a bottle of the Stagg, then a Weller depending on how rated. The ER17 is very nice (but very smooth) and usually stays on the shelves around here, so I grab it in the new year when I have cash left.

Not enough of a rye drinker to regularly grab the Handy or the Saz18, so I taste those at well-stocked bars.

You should follow your tastes (however if it's truly a tossup, note that the WLW is generally a few years older than the Handy while both are barrel-proof.)