Sazerac goes bigger and bolder with higher-strength ryes
Two recent releases – Sazerac Rye 100 Proof and Sazerac Rye Full Proof – are taking the brand’s distinguished spicy character to new heights.
Imagine Sazerac Rye’s signature spice – but elevated with a higher ABV to deliver a more robust flavour.
That’s what you get with Sazerac Rye Whiskey 100 Proof, one of two new product developments from Buffalo Trace Distillery that came to market in the second half of 2025, joining existing products Sazerac 90 Proof and Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Sazerac Rye 18 Years Old.
Launched in July, Sazerac Rye Whiskey 100 Proof (50% ABV) was created in response to amplified calls from bartenders for higher-strength rye spirits with the prowess. This is a whiskey capable of elevating classic cocktails, like the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, or the eponymous Sazerac, and standing up against a plethora of alternative ingredients, giving bartenders plenty of room to experiment.
Similar to its 90-proof (45% ABV) counterpart, the whiskey boasts aromas of clove, vanilla, anise and pepper, which lead to flavours of candied spices and citrus on the palate. The smooth finish reveals a touch of liquorice, and results in a rich, balanced drinking experience. This is classic Sazerac Rye, but bolder.
Harlen Wheatley, master distiller at Buffalo Trace Distillery, notes: “Sazerac Rye 100 Proof was crafted specifically with bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts in mind. With the renewed interest in classic cocktails that rely on a rye whiskey base, we focused on ensuring the higher-proof spirit delivers complexity and structure without losing its signature profile.”
Full Proof launches
At the tail-end of the year, Buffalo Trace Distillery also introduced Sazerac Rye Whiskey Full Proof, which clocks in at an impressive 125 proof (62.5% ABV). Born from the distillery’s recent US$1.2 billion expansion, Full Proof brings remarkable intensity to the brand’s signature flavour profile. “Our expansion is 10 years in the making, and it’s rewarding to see how it’s already allowing us to create more of these whiskeys while maintaining the quality our fans expect,” notes Wheatley.
Just like the city it was born in, New Orleans, Sazerac Rye Whiskey is bold, timeless and unapologetically moves to the beat of its own drum. The nose opens with bold rye spice, fresh dill and smoky oak, while the palate showcases smooth sweetness, followed by floral and herbal notes. Rich oak and classic rye grain character are of course present throughout, and the finish is lightly peppery with late rye spice. It’s warm, complex – yet approachable.
Wheatley continues: “Rye whiskey is the perfect next step for whiskey drinkers looking for more flavour. Sazerac Rye’s unique, balanced, Kentucky-style recipe makes it the brand whiskey drinkers have trusted for years.” No doubt, it will continue to be the trusted rye for many more years to come.
Related news
Sazerac wins partial victory in LIV Golf trademark dispute
