Online drinks retailer and specialist Master of Malt has announced that its customers will have the opportunity to buy bottles from the coveted Buffalo Trace Antique Collection at RRP, thanks to its ballot system. Master of Malt is not ramping up the prices of these heavily in-demand whiskeys, believing that a ballot is the fairest way to ensure everyone has an equal chance of securing a bottle without being excluded by extortionate prices.

The ballot will go live today Monday 11 April at 10am BST, closing on Tuesday 19 April at 3pm BST. Those interested can visit the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Landing Page and take their pick from the five bottles available. Once on a product page, customers can sign up for the ballot. Names are drawn at random, giving winners the opportunity to purchase the selected bottle at RRP. These are incredibly limited, and if previous years are anything to go by, demand is sure to be high.

The 2021 release of Eagle Rare 17 Year Old is as spectacular as ever, with just three bottles available on Master of Malt. It’s rare to see Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey sporting such a hefty age statement, and it will be selling for £135. Also with just three bottles available is the 2021 release Sazerac 18 Year Old Kentucky straight rye whiskey. Another lengthy maturation not often seen in American whiskeys, selling for £135 through the Master of Malt ballot.

The 2021 edition of Thomas H. Handy is another terrific rye whiskey from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, named after the bartending legend who first used rye whiskey in a Sazerac. One for rye aficionados, it’s made with rye, corn, and malted barley, and after maturation, it's bottled up a full-on cask strength – in this case, a hefty 64.7% ABV. Only 24 bottles are available through Master of Malt at an RRP of £140.

William Larue Weller is a wheated bourbon from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, and Master of Malt has 18 bottles of the 2021 release available. This edition is bottled at a cask strength of 62.6% ABV, perfect for bourbon lovers looking for something a little different. Bottles are available through Master of Malt at an RRP of £145.

Master of Malt also has a George T. Stagg release from the 2020 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection up for grabs. As always with these particular bourbons, it’s bottled up at natural strength – this time, a generous 65.2% ABV – and as such, boasts a huge flavour profile. A limited 12 bottles are available at £127.95 through Master of Malt.

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