Thomas H. Handy Sazerac 1998

With roots tracing back to 1773, this Kentucky distillery represents one of America's most storied whiskey traditions. Though early distillation practices began on-site in the late 18th century, commercial production was first documented in the early 1800s. Today, Kentucky boasts over 2,000 licensed distilleries, yet this brand stands apart. Originally known as Leestown Distillery—a name still revered by connoisseurs—the operation was meticulously developed by Harrison Blanton before changing hands multiple times prior to the Civil War. In 1870, the distillery found its most influential steward in Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr., a legendary figure now celebrated as a founding father of modern American bourbon. His commitment to quality, innovation in sour mash fermentation, and advocacy for the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 cemented the distillery's reputation for producing whiskey of exceptional character and consistency. Each bottle embodies over two centuries of Kentucky craftsmanship, from the limestone-filtered water to the charred American oak barrels, delivering a complex spirit with notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak that has defined premium bourbon for generations.