Sazerac Company, Inc.

The Sazerac Coffee House opened its doors in New Orleans in 1850, serving as the birthplace of both the iconic Sazerac cocktail and what would become America's largest family-owned spirits company. What began as Antoine Amédée Peychaud's cocktail creation has evolved into a whiskey empire spanning 450 brands across 112 countries, yet the company remains rooted in the traditions that built American whiskey culture.

History & Heritage

Thomas H. Handy purchased the original Sazerac Coffee House in 1869, transforming it from cocktail parlor to wholesale spirits operation. The Goldring family acquired the company in 1948 and built it into today's powerhouse through strategic acquisitions and unwavering commitment to traditional production methods. Headquartered in Metairie, Louisiana, with principal operations in Louisville, Kentucky, Sazerac maintains deep ties to both New Orleans culture and Kentucky bourbon heritage.

The Whiskey

Sazerac produces expressions across the whiskey spectrum, from the approachable Buffalo Trace Bourbon to the legendary Pappy Van Winkle allocations. The company operates multiple distilleries, including the award-winning Buffalo Trace facility and Barton 1792 Distillery, where copper pot stills and time-honored aging processes create consistently exceptional whiskey. Notable expressions include Sazerac Rye, Blanton's single barrel bourbon, Eagle Rare, and E.H. Taylor, each representing different facets of American whiskey craftsmanship.

Why It Matters

Sazerac earned seven top honors at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, including World's Best Single Barrel Bourbon for Blanton's Straight from the Barrel, confirming its position among whiskey's elite producers. The company's portfolio represents nearly two centuries of American distilling evolution, from the pre-Prohibition era through today's bourbon renaissance. For those who appreciate good whiskey, Sazerac expressions offer both accessible excellence and rare treasures that define what American whiskey can achieve.