Sazerac’s Buffalo Trace Distillery has debuted two new expressions: a Single Oak Rye Bourbon and a Low Entry Proof Wheated Bourbon. 

The former is the distillery's inaugural release of the now-permanent Single Oak Range, with the latter also the Experimental Collection's 28th release.

As Buffalo Trace’s two most ambitious and long-running programs, both Single Oak Project and Experimental Collections highlight the distillery's dedication to researching the specific variables that define bourbon's flavor profile.

The Single Oak Project

The Single Oak Project began in 1999 and represents the distillery’s most extensive experiment to date, aiming to explore the effects of seven different variables, including mash bill, entry proof, ageing location, and barrel construction.

The project utilizes 192 unique barrels, each crafted from specific oak tree sections and filled with either a wheated or rye mash bill to test various maturation techniques.

For its inaugural release, Rye Bourbon, the whiskey replicates the mash bill and barrel-ageing conditions of Barrel #80.

In 2011, consumers were invited to taste and evaluate the Bourbons, ultimately selecting Barrel #80 as the standout expression.

The spirit entered the barrel at 62.5% ABV and was aged in oak from the lower half of the tree, with average grain. The staves were seasoned for 12 months and charred to level four. The barrels were then aged in a warehouse with a concrete floor for eight years.

The expression offers aromas of caramel, vanilla, baking spice, toasted oak and subtle hints of orchard fruit, with a palate of layered toffee, vanilla cream, honeyed sweetness, seasoned oak, and baking spices.

Bottled at 45% ABV, the Single Oak Rye Bourbon will be available in a limited quantity in 375ml bottles starting in April 2026, with an MSRP of US$74.99. It can be purchased through Sazerac’s national distributor network and at the Buffalo Trace Distillery gift shop.

The Experimental Collection

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team