Buffalo Trace Distillery is a historic American distillery located in Frankfort, Kentucky. Founded in 1773 as a frontier outpost and later operating under various names—including Old Fire Copper, Old Taylor, and George T. Stagg Distillery—the facility is one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the United States. It is owned by the Sazerac Company, a privately held beverage conglomerate.
Location and Facilities
The distillery occupies a 30‑acre campus on the banks of the Kentucky River. Its central production complex includes mash houses, fermentation tanks, copper pot stills, and a warehouse system containing over ten million barrels for aging whiskey.
Products
Buffalo Trace produces a range of bourbon, rye, and specialty whiskeys, most notably:
- Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon – the flagship brand, introduced in 1995.
- Eagle Rare – a 10‑year‑old bourbon introduced in 1975.
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve – a line of limited‑edition, high‑proof bourbons produced under a contract with the family-owned Van Winkle brand.
- Stagg Jr. – a high‑proof, barrel‑strength bourbon, part of the Antique Collection series.
- W.L. Weller – a wheated bourbon line often compared with the “poor man’s” version of Pappy Van Winkle.
- George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, and Thomas H. Handy – other barrel‑strength releases within the Antique Collection.
The distillery also produces rye whiskeys, including Bulleit Rye (under contract) and its own Buffalo Trace Rye.
Historical Significance
The site’s origins trace back to a 1773 ferry crossing known as “Buffalo Trace,” used by settlers traveling the Salt River Road. The distillery’s early operations began in the 19th century under the name "Old Fire Copper." Throughout Prohibition (1920–1933), the facility operated as a medicinal whiskey production site, maintaining continuous operations while many other distilleries closed. In 1992, the name “Buffalo Trace” was officially adopted for the distillery and its primary bourbon brand.
Recognition and Awards
Buffalo Trace Distillery’s products have earned numerous accolades at international spirits competitions, including multiple gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and high scores from prominent critics such as Wine Spectator, Jim Murray, and the Whisky Advocate. The distillery is frequently cited for its consistent quality, innovative barrel programs, and contributions to the bourbon revival of the early 21st century.
Visitation and Tourism
The distillery offers public tours, including a standard tour of the production floor and a premium “Legacy Tour” that provides access to private warehouses and the opportunity to sample rare releases. Tours are subject to age verification and a reservation system.
Corporate Structure
Buffalo Trace Distillery operates as a subsidiary of the Sazerac Company, which acquired the facility in 1992. Sazerac's portfolio includes a variety of spirits brands across multiple categories, providing distribution and marketing support for Buffalo Trace products worldwide.
Regulatory and Production Details
The distillery adheres to the standards of the Kennedy Center for Distilling and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, employing traditional sour mash fermentation, copper pot still distillation, and aging in new, charred American oak barrels as mandated for bourbon production under U.S. federal regulations (Title 27, CFR Part 5).
References
- Sazerac Company. “Buffalo Trace Distillery” corporate overview. Retrieved 2024.
- Kentucky Bourbon Trail. “Buffalo Trace Distillery.” Official tourism site. Retrieved 2024.
- San Francisco World Spirits Competition results, 2023–2024.
- Murray, Jim. Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, 2022 edition.
All information presented reflects publicly available, verifiable sources as of June 2026.
