Is Sazerac Rye Hard to Find? Answered (2023 Updated)

Last Updated on February 12, 2023 by Lydia Martin

Sazerac Rye is one of the whiskey industry’s workhorses that fuels many of the bar’s rye-based cocktail menus.

It is one of the best quality and affordable options on the rye whiskey shelf. 

Currently, it is distilled and produced in Buffalo Trace Distillery, making it more famous and high in demand. 

But is Sazerac Rye hard to find, or are you just unlucky? Keep reading to find out. 

Is It Difficult To Find Sazerac Rye? 

Sazerac Rye is difficult to find, especially in some places, because it is an excellent rye whiskey for its price. 

Some of the main reasons why it is difficult to find are the limited supply and once-a-year release of Buffalo Trace Distillery. 

With the growing population of whiskey drinkers getting hooked on Sazerac Rye, it is allocated in some places, which makes the expression harder to find. 

Fortunately, you can find bottlings of Sazerac Rye in some online liquor shops like Drizly and Total Wine. 

Also, if you cannot get hold of a bottle of Sazerac, you can check out Sazerac Rye alternatives like Woodford Reserve Rye, Rittenhouse Rye, and Highwest Rye, which can be a bit easier to find. 

Possible Reasons Why It’s Hard To Find 

Limited Supply

In the press release of Sazerac, the brand announced in 2019 that they began bottling limited quantities of whiskeys from Sazerac House and Buffalo Trace Distillery. 

“We are so excited to put our bottling line to work. Sazerac Rye is the most awarded American Rye Whiskey and an integral ingredient in the Sazerac Cocktail,”

– David Bock, Operations Manager at Sazerac House.

While the additional bottling site may help fasten the production, it will take time for the whiskeys inside the barrel to reach their age and be ready for bottling. 

In addition, with such limited supply and high demand for the three expressions, it can be challenging to maintain an excellent inventory of whiskey on different liquor shelves.

While in limited supply, the Sazerac Rye “Baby Saz” is more attainable than Sazerac 18 and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac. 

Once A Year Release

Sazerac 18 is one of the best rye whiskeys you can get hold of (if you get lucky) because it is released every year in limited quantities. 

The Sazerac 18 and Thomas H. Hand are part of the famous annual Antique Collection release of Buffalo Trace [1], one of the most anticipated yearly releases in the world of whiskey. 

With the once-a-year releases of these Sazerac Rye expressions, no one gets surprised that it is tough to find. 

Depends On Location 

Sazerac Rye expressions are generally hard to find, and unfortunately, it gets harder to find depending on your location. 

These are some of the states where Sazerac Rye can be extremely tough to find:

• Colorado
• South Carolina
• New Jersey
• Denver
• Missouri

However, our folks from Massachusetts, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Chicago tipped us off that there are excellent inventories of Sazerac Rye, especially the Baby Saz, in their area. 

Is Sazerac Allocated? 

Yes, Sazerac is allocated in some places. With its high demand and low supply, it is treated as allocated in some areas. 

As it is not widely distributed in other places, the secondary market takes advantage when they get hold of Sazerac Rye. 

In some places, a bottle of Sazerac Rye costs $100 or more, which is unbelievably overpriced. 

What Bottles Can You Buy If You Can’t Find Sazerac? 

Sazerac Rye is a famous rye whiskey, and if you can’t find any bottle of Sazerac near you or the hefty secondary market price ruins your day, you can consider some options. 

Rittenhouse Rye, Woodford Reserve Rye, and High West Rye are some solid options that will give you a better grasp of what rye whiskey offers. 

Where Can You Buy Sazerac Rye? 

Sazerac Rye is available in local liquor stores and grocery stores in different states (unless it’s allocated). 

If you can drop by the Buffalo Trace Distillery Gift Shop, you can snag a bottle of Sazerac Rye. 

In addition, you can have it delivered right to your doorstep by ordering it in Drizly and Total Wine online. 

FAQs 

Key Takeaways

Sazerac Rye is hard to find in some places, and you are not unlucky for not coming across a good bottle of this rye whiskey. 

Since it is produced in limited quantities, allocated, and released once a year, some shelves have limited supply while others have their bottles covered in dust. 

Sazerac Rye is hard to pass up, only if the rye whiskey is around the MSRP. 

Reference:

1. https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/buffalo-traces-2022-antique-collection-has-arrived-mens-journal/ 
2. https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/bourbon-bonanza-buffalo-trace-celebrates-filling-eight-millionth-barrel-bourbon-prohibition