Handy & Schiller Paper Plane 750ML

Handy & Schiller Paper Plane 750ML is a ready-to-drink premixed cocktail bottled at 25% ABV (50 proof) in a 750ml format. Built on a backbone of Buffalo Trace bourbon, this small batch RTD reproduces the classic Paper Plane recipe with genuine cocktail-weight structure that most bottled drinks in this category do not deliver.

Quick Facts: ABV: 25%  |  Proof: 50  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Style: Ready-to-Drink Premixed Cocktail  |  Distillery: Buffalo Trace

Production & Heritage

Handy & Schiller is a brand under the Sazerac family of companies, and the name pays tribute to Thomas H. Handy, the New Orleans entrepreneur closely tied to Sazerac's history. The cocktail itself is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, one of the most recognized bourbon distilleries in the country. The blend follows the canonical Paper Plane formula: equal parts bourbon whiskey, Aperol, Amaro, and lemon juice, mixed in small batches rather than scaled up to mass-production volumes. At 50 proof, it lands well above the 20% ABV range where many competing RTDs sit, giving it a fuller, more cocktail-like body.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Tangy lemon peel and bright citrus lead the nose, backed by a bittersweet aperitif quality. There is a faint herbal undertone from the Amaro component that adds complexity before the first sip.

Taste: Citrus and lemon hit first, sharp and clean. The mid-palate shifts into deeper territory with layered Amaro bitterness and warm bourbon sweetness, giving the drink a real sense of weight. The balance between sweet, bitter, and tart stays tight throughout.

Finish: A light herbal edge carries into a bittersweet close. The finish is clean and does not linger excessively, encouraging another pour.

How to Drink Paper Plane

Pour it over a large ice cube or into a chilled coupe straight from the bottle. No shaking, measuring, or bar tools required. The 750ml format makes it practical for serving several drinks at once. For variations: try it lengthened with a splash of club soda and a lemon wheel for a spritz-style serve, use it as the bitter-citrus component in a longer highball with ginger beer, or serve it alongside a shot of neat bourbon as a back for contrast.

Best For

• Hosting a cocktail party without spending time behind a shaker
• Stocking a home bar with a bar-quality drink that pours straight from the bottle
• Gifting a bourbon or cocktail enthusiast something outside the usual bottle of whiskey
• Outdoor gatherings where glassware and bar setups are impractical

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Paper Plane taste like? It leads with bright, tangy citrus and lemon, then moves into bittersweet Amaro depth and warm bourbon underneath. The overall impression is a balanced push and pull between tart, bitter, and sweet.

How does Handy & Schiller Paper Plane compare to Tip Top Paper Plane? Both are RTD versions of the same classic cocktail, but the Handy & Schiller bottling uses Buffalo Trace bourbon as its base and is bottled at 50 proof, while Tip Top launched their canned Paper Plane in September 2024 in collaboration with Sam Ross, the bartender who created the original drink. The Handy & Schiller version comes in a 750ml bottle suited for multi-serve occasions, whereas Tip Top uses a single-serve can format.

Is Paper Plane good for cocktail lovers? Yes. It faithfully follows the equal-parts recipe of the original Paper Plane cocktail, and its 25% ABV gives it noticeably more body and flavor intensity than many lower-proof RTDs on the market.

Where is Handy & Schiller Paper Plane made? It is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, under the Handy & Schiller brand, which is part of the Sazerac family of companies.

What foods pair well with Paper Plane? Charcuterie boards with sharp aged cheeses and cured meats complement the drink's bittersweet character. Grilled shrimp or seafood ceviche plays well against the citrus. Dark chocolate or almond biscotti match the herbal Amaro notes. Arugula salad with shaved Parmesan and lemon vinaigrette echoes the cocktail's bright acidity.

What sizes does Paper Plane come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle.

Is Paper Plane worth the price? It sits in the premium RTD tier, above mass-market bottled cocktails in both proof and ingredient quality. The Buffalo Trace bourbon base and small batch production set it apart from cheaper ready-to-drink options, and the 750ml multi-serve bottle offers good value per drink compared to buying each ingredient separately.

Why Paper Plane?

Most RTD cocktails compromise somewhere, usually on proof, ingredient quality, or recipe fidelity. The Handy & Schiller Paper Plane holds the line on all three. Its 50 proof puts it a full tier above the typical bottled cocktail in strength and flavor intensity, and the use of Buffalo Trace bourbon gives it a credible whiskey backbone rather than a generic spirit filler. For anyone who loves the Paper Plane cocktail but does not want to stock Aperol, Amaro, fresh lemons, and bourbon just to make one drink, this bottle solves the problem without cutting corners.