Handy & Schiller Barreled Manhattan Cocktail

Product Description

Handy & Schiller Barreled Manhattan: Aged, Not Just Mixed

New Orleans is widely regarded as the birthplace of American cocktails, and Handy & Schiller honors two of the men who shaped that legacy: John Schiller, a New York bartender who found his way to New Orleans and, by 1860, was operating the world-famous Sazerac Coffeehouse in the French Quarter, and Thomas Handy, a Maryland native who worked for Schiller at the coffeehouse before going on to establish a successful importing and wholesale liquor business. Their contributions to New Orleans' early cocktail culture continue to inspire drinks more than 150 years later.

Unlike a simply blended ready-to-drink cocktail, the Handy & Schiller Barreled Manhattan is genuinely barrel-aged. Crafted using gold medal award-winning Sazerac Rye Whiskey, vermouth, and Peychaud's Bitters, the components are married together and rested in Sazerac Rye barrels at the renowned Buffalo Trace Distillery, a process that lets the ingredients fully integrate and pick up real oak, vanilla, and spice complexity rarely found in a standard pre-mixed cocktail. As Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley put it, it's "a well-balanced cocktail with the perfect amount of rye and spice. A nice finish of fruit with subtle sweetness."

That quality earned real recognition, too: the Barreled Manhattan took home a Silver Medal from Tastings.com, praised for its "satiny, crisp, moderately sweet light-to-medium body." Ready to pour straight from the bottle, it delivers a consistent, bar-quality Manhattan without the mixing, measuring, or bartending skills usually required.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Vanilla-almond nougat, candied cherries, butterscotch, tobacco, and toast.

Palate: Satiny and crisp, moderately sweet, with rye spice, black pepper, sweet vermouth richness, dark cherry, and caramelized sugar.

Finish: Smooth and medium-length, with banana taffy, molasses, and raisin cake, balanced by rye warmth and soft oak spice.

Food Pairings

Handy & Schiller Barreled Manhattan's rich, spiced fruit profile pairs beautifully with equally indulgent fare. Try it alongside dark chocolate, aged cheeses, candied nuts, or charcuterie for a classic after-dinner pairing.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Handy & Schiller Barreled Manhattan over a large ice cube and garnish with a brandied cherry or orange peel for a classic presentation, or enjoy it neat in a chilled coupe for a richer, spirit-forward experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this a "barreled" Manhattan? Unlike most bottled cocktails that are simply blended, this Manhattan is rested in Sazerac Rye barrels at Buffalo Trace Distillery, allowing the rye whiskey, vermouth, and bitters to fully integrate and develop genuine oak, vanilla, and spice complexity.

Do I need to mix anything? No. Simply pour over ice, stir gently if desired, and garnish with a cherry or orange twist.

What is the alcohol content? 35% ABV (70 proof).

Has this cocktail won any awards? Yes. It earned a Silver Medal from Tastings.com.

Where is this cocktail made? At the historic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.

How should I serve it? Over a large ice cube with a brandied cherry or orange peel, or neat in a chilled coupe glass.

Explore More

Craving more grab-and-pour options? Shop our full RTD collection for more bar-quality, ready-to-drink cocktails you can chill and pour in seconds.

Looking for more from Buffalo Trace? Shop our full Buffalo Trace collection for more bourbons and spirits from this legendary Frankfort, Kentucky distillery.

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