The Visitor Centre today is ... Buffalo Trace Distillery
- JULIE WHITE
- Jun 14
- 24 min read
Updated: Oct 14
Buffalo Trace Distillery: the oldest continuously operating distillery in the United States. A brilliant blend of bourbon and history.
Every June 14th, bourbon lovers like me, raise a glass to toast America’s “Native Spirit,” as part of National Bourbon Day. Few places embody that story more than Buffalo Trace Distillery, a living landmark on the banks of the Kentucky River, that I had the pleasure of visiting on my bourbon pilgrimage to the Bluegrass State.
Not all historic transportation routes are still used, or are as well known as Route 66. Many have been lost to history. But in Kentucky, the historic Buffalo Trace is forever remembered. The bison's migratory route has long gone, but the bourbon that bears its name is now woven into Kentucky’s identity.
Kentucky crafts 95% of the world’s Bourbon, and the Buffalo Trace Distillery, located on the east bank of the Kentucky River, just north of Frankfort, has operated on the site since its establishment as the Old Fire Copper Distillery in 1870. The site is a rare, intact example of historic American distillery architecture.
The brand's rich history, commitment to quality and innovative spirit, has made it an iconic figure in the world of American whiskey, attracting enthusiasts and connoisseurs from around the globe to its visitor experiences.
The brand, now owned by the Sazerac family, has weathered a few storms, quite literally in some cases, including a tornado, lightning strikes, flooding and even Prohibition, emerging stronger and more resilient each time.
Bourbon sales have jumped nearly 40% in the past decade, according to the Distilled Spirits Council, and demand now outstrips supply. Nowhere is this clearer than with Pappy Van Winkle, made at Buffalo Trace. Forbes called it “the world’s most elusive bourbon” in 2023, and in 2022 a bottle of the 23 Year sold at Sotheby’s for seventeen times its estimate.
With Buffalo Trace being a top choice for restaurants and mixologists and the brand appearing in movies, books, songs, and even TV shows such as the popular Paramount show Yellowstone, or the 2021 Netflix Documentary Heist, the demand shows no sign of stopping.
A visit to the distillery had been on my bucket list for years. What we found was a heady mix of historic buildings, delicious spirit, unscripted storytelling and true southern charm. A real Kentucky gem.
Visiting the Buffalo Trace Distillery: What to Expect
The brand history
Before we dive into the distillery itself, it's worth stepping back a few hundred years to understand why buffalo and bourbon are so intertwined in Kentucky.
American Bison, migrating in massive herds, created pathways along the natural topography between the prairie lands in Illinois to the salt licks in Kentucky. These trails, called the Buffalo Trace, were used by American Indians for generations and later became the main route for settlers crossing the state. Early maps show the Trace as a vital artery for travel and trade. Many booked passage on riverboats as far as the Falls, what is now Louisville, before continuing west. The trail’s growing popularity led to taverns, hotels, and businesses lining its route, and when a stagecoach line ran its full length, the Buffalo Trace became a hub of movement and commerce.
Distilling on this historic site began as early as 1775, when Hancock Lee and his brother Willis set up their first stills. By 1792, the year Kentucky became the 15th state, Commodore Richard Taylor built Riverside House, the first permanent structure on the property. Remarkably, Riverside House still stands today, a silent witness to centuries of bourbon history.
The first official distillery on the site was built in 1812 by Harrison Blanton. In 1869, it was sold to Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr., the great-grandson of Commodore Taylor. Taylor, a bourbon pioneer, mayor, state representative, and grandson of President Zachary Taylor, owned seven distilleries over his lifetime. He is often referred to as the 'Father of the Modern Bourbon Industry'.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. established the Old Fire Copper (O.F.C.) Distillery on the site, but the distillery business proved precarious. By 1871, E.H. Taylor Jr. was already knee-deep in debt, and by 1877 he’d gone bankrupt. A year later, George T. Stagg swooped in, acquiring Taylor’s distilleries and even partnering with him for a while.
Taylor ran the daily business, but the partnership was rocky. Worse was to come, as in 1882 it all went up in smoke, as a lightning strike started a fire that destroyed the distillery. At huge cost a new distillery was built in 1883, the one you can visit today. Among Taylor's revolutionary whiskey making practices, he installed steam heating in the storage warehouses, the first climate controlled warehousing for ageing whiskey in the nation, which is still in use. Stagg bowed out of the business in the 1890s and died in 1893, at just 58.
Albert B. Blanton, who grew up on a farm next to the distillery, joined the company aged 16, working his way up to President in 1921, and the distillery was one of the few to remain open during Prohibition, granted a licence to make medicinal whiskey.
Blanton's leadership saw the brand survive floods, the Great Depression, wars and other challenges, as he grew it into one of the world’s leading bourbon producers. He retired in 1943, but remained an advisor until his death in 1959.
The New Orleans based, family owned Sazerac Company, bought the distillery in 1992. They invested in a seven year renovation campaign, and the Buffalo Trace brand was introduced in August 1999.
The distillery was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 2, 2001 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2003.
As bourbon’s popularity soared in the 2010s, Buffalo Trace faced the challenge of keeping up with demand. In 2016, the distillery launched a $200 million expansion, increasing its acreage to 400 acres. Two years later, investment grew to $1.2 billion to expand production and visitor facilities, which are now completed. Today, the site employs around 650 people.
“We are so excited to welcome new and repeat guests to come see our new stillhouse and experience our new tour offerings. The major expansion projects are now complete, so we have lots of new areas visitors can see on both our Hard Hat Tour and our expanded Trace Tour.” (Tyler Adams, General Manager talking to Spectrum News, Feb 23)
The distillery now boasts one of the most advanced barrel management systems in the country. Their warehouses house a vast inventory, allowing Buffalo Trace to produce a diverse range of bourbons and whiskies, each with its own unique character and flavour profile. Add in an experimental warehouse and round the clock production, the Buffalo Trace distillery produces over 15 different bourbons (and rye) and turns out more than 200,000 barrels a year.
A new experimental warehouse and 24-hour production help maintain variety, while two massive column stills, each 40 feet tall and 84 inches wide, produce enough whiskey to fill more than 200,000 barrels a year. These stills produce favourites like Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Weller, Blanton’s, and E.H. Taylor Jr.
Buffalo Trace distillery welcomed 470,507 visitors in 2022, compared to 293,996 visitors in pre pandemic 2019, making it the most visited distillery in the State. Bourbon tourism is indeed flying high in Frankfort.
In 2025, Buffalo Trace is hitting the road across the U.S. with Buffalo Trace Distillery On Tour. The travelling tasting experience will stop in St. Louis, Kansas City, Jacksonville, and Tampa in October, offering guided tastings and custom barware. For bourbon fans who can’t make it to Kentucky, it’s a chance to step inside the distillery’s story, sip expertly curated pours, and feel the heritage of one of America’s most iconic bourbon makers.
“We have long sought to bring our story to those who cannot, or have not yet, visited our Distillery. For the first time, Buffalo Trace Distillery On Tour allows us to meet our fans where they are to share our history, craftsmanship, and award-winning whiskies. ” (Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace)
And if that isn't enough, Buffalo Trace opened their first visitor experience outside the US in May 2024.
The Buffalo Trace Distillery London Tasting Experience, is a brand new 2,000-square-foot-space, and includes a tasting room and retail space, all just a few steps from the ever popular Covent Garden. I've been there for a special tasting event, so I will post a guide to this asap.
Epic Flooding
My heart went out to the distillery in April 2025, when I read reports of the epic flooding event that had occurred, along the Kentucky River.
The river crested at 48.27 feet, making it the second worst flood in Frankfort's history. The images were shocking. Thanks to the valiant efforts of volunteers and contractors, within a week the distillery had removed 75% of the water and debris.
The visitor experiences were temporarily halted as the damage to barrels and buildings was assessed. A month or so later, details of the flood and its impact were being included in tours. Apparently 37,000 barrels were submerged. But it was the impact of the damage on the employees and staff that really resonated when I reached out to them for an update. It has taken until late summer 2025 for the visitor experiences to be back to normal, and I wish them all the best in the future.
What is Bourbon?
Bourbon is one of the most regulated spirits in the world. All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.
Bourbon can only be produced in America, though not just in Kentucky, as many people think, and new bourbon distilleries are popping up across the country all the time.
It is a fermented grain spirit.
In order to be classified as bourbon, a whiskey needs to be distilled from a mixture of grains, or mash, that is made up of at least 51% corn. It is this corn that gives bourbon it's sweet flavour.
The mash must be distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% abv).
The distillate must be aged in charred new oak containers at 125 proof (62.5% abv) or less. Note that this does not strictly mention barrels, though what else you'd be using I don't know.
Before bottling, bourbon is filtered and diluted down to no less than 80 proof (40% abv).
There is no minimum limit to the length of aging, unlike Scotch. The exception is straight bourbon, which has a minimum aging requirement of 2 years. In addition, any bourbon aged less than 4 years must include an age statement on its label. Bottled-in-Bond must be aged for at least 4 years. Bourbon aged for less than 3 years cannot be classed as whiskey in the EU.
Anything labelled Kentucky Bourbon must be distilled and aged in Kentucky.
There are a plethora of other rules, but those are the basics.
The Visitor Centre design
Scotland's Glenfiddich claim that they were the first distillery to open a visitor centre for tourists, in 1969. However, I believe the pioneer of whiskey tourism hails from Kentucky and does not get enough credit, and he is directly linked to Buffalo Trace - Col. E. H. Taylor Jr.
In the late 1800s Col. E. H. Taylor Jr. designed his Old Taylor Distillery to resemble a medieval European castle, surrounded by landscaped grounds, that attracted tourists and picnickers alike. The visitors were given a tour of the facilities, complimentary bottles of spirit, and could take in the classical Spring House, walking routes and sunken garden. The Old Taylor Distillery passed through a few hands, until it was abandoned in 1972. Since 2014 it has been the home of Castle and Key Distillery.
As mentioned earlier, serial distillery entrepreneur Colonel E. H. Taylor Jr. once owned several distilleries, including the Old Fire Copper (O.F.C.) distillery, the site that would become today’s Buffalo Trace. While it might not have a castle, Buffalo Trace is a National Historic Landmark featuring a charming collection of well-preserved red-brick warehouses. Walking the site offers a rare chance to see, all in one place, how distillery buildings and technology evolved over the centuries. The care and attention given to maintaining these historic structures speak volumes about the distillery’s commitment to preserving its heritage.
The 50-acre historic core includes a group of six buildings, constructed between 1792 and 1907, that represent the distillery’s formative years. The one storey "Old Taylor House," built by the founder, dates back to 1792. Warehouse A and Warehouse B were constructed in 1881, with Warehouse C joining them in 1885. The mashing and fermenting wing, "The Dickel Building," dates back to 1883.
Several buildings constructed in the years between the World Wars are still in use at the distillery today. The Blanton family homestead, known as “The Beeches” and built in 1818, was purchased by Buffalo Trace in 2004 to become part of its historic property. It’s important to acknowledge that some of these homes carry a difficult history. Blanton, like many wealthy men of his time in Kentucky, was a slave owner, a reality that reminds us the story of bourbon is intertwined with both innovation and injustice.
The George T. Stagg Water Tower is a landmark visible for miles around. Standing more than 163 feet tall and nearly 29 feet wide, it holds 150,000 gallons of water and is an unmistakable part of the Buffalo Trace skyline.
The historic buildings do provide amazing backdrops and spaces for events such as weddings.
The botanic gardens and bird sanctuary at Buffalo Trace Distillery center around Stony Point, the former residence of Albert B. Blanton, which was built in 1934. Now recognised as a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service, and as a certified Level II Accredited Arboretum, the brand offers walking tours of the garden followed by a tasting of their signature spirit.
In August 2017, Buffalo Trace debuted their Old Taylor Tour, showcasing three sites on the distillery property which explore Col. E. H. Taylor Jr.'s legacy. This includes the previously unknown ruins of the original O.F.C. distillery from 1869, dubbed “Bourbon Pompeii,” plus the Old Taylor House, where guests can learn about the chemistry behind bourbon production and the feud between E.H. Taylor Jnr and George T. Stagg.
Sadly the tour was full on the day I visited, but I really hope to go back and see more of this fascinating history. The exhibition panels, graphics and videos were designed by local company Joanna Hay Productions.
In 1953, to celebrate the brand's 2 millionth barrel of bourbon, they built Warehouse V, the world's smallest bonded warehouse at the distillery.
When a millionth barrel is filled, it is ceremoniously rolled into Warehouse V, where it is signed by attendees before being placed in storage. The latest barrel, the 9 millionth, was added on 29th September 2025.
Warehouse X at Buffalo Trace is an experimental bourbon ageing facility designed to test how light, temperature and humidity shape flavour. Built after a tornado damaged Warehouse C in 2006, it has five unique chambers and advanced sensors, guiding the distillery’s limited-edition Experimental Collection. It’s tradition and innovation working side by side.
It is worth noting that Buffalo Trace is not part of the popular Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The trail is an organised program, owned and operated by the nonprofit Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA), which owns the trademark and phrase “Kentucky Bourbon Trail.”
Launched in 1999, at the start of the American whiskey resurgence, the trail has proved extremely successful, with more than 2.7 million people visiting the Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries in 2024 alone. Visitors like us, from all corners of the globe, come to get their Bourbon Trail “passports” stamped (though sadly this is now done via an app) at distilleries across the State. It brings $9 billion into the state's economy every year and provides more than 22,500 jobs.
In 2009, after a legal dispute over a trademark, Sazerac withdrew both Buffalo Trace and Barton 1792 from the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, ending their official links to the Bourbon Trail.
For Buffalo Trace, however, not being part of the official trail has done little to slow demand. With bourbon in short supply nationwide, interest in the distillery and its products continues to soar. Most Buffalo Trace brands, including Weller, Eagle Rare, and E.H. Taylor, are now sold as allocated bourbon in many states. That means customers are usually limited to one bottle per person, making every bottle bought feel like a lottery win.
The Entrance
On the edge of Frankfort, the state capital, the distillery sits at the end of a tree-lined drive that stretches about a quarter of a mile from the main road, giving you glimpses of the historic site along the way and its collection of classic red-brick industrial buildings. We arrived at 2pm, having spent the morning at Bulleit Distillery a half-hour drive away in Shelbyville, and only had time for the standard Trace Tour. The tour runs hourly, lasts around 75 minutes, and finishes with a tasting of six of their spirits. The guest entrance was through the renovated historic Freehouse, where the floor featured an overview of the entire operation.
The Tour
We booked the tour 3 months in advance, like we booked all our Kentucky Bourbon distillery tours for this visit from Scotland, and even then we could not get on some.
On an extremely hot day in July, we joined 22 guests of all ages, hailing from various parts of the US, with different levels of bourbon knowledge. We were the only ones from abroad, and we were made to feel very special indeed because of this.
The tour started in the recently expanded visitor centre, a 33,000 square foot building housing the retail space and some additional exhibition space.
We hit the jackpot with David as our guide. Ten years at the distillery and a natural-born storyteller, he joked that he had over 400 hours of bourbon wisdom ready to pour into our brains.
David walked us through how the distillery had grown over the years and what their epic expansion plans would deliver. He told us that Buffalo Trace fills a warehouse every three to four months, about 58,800 barrels at a time. Currently, he told us, the site holds up to 1.3 million barrels, but once the expansion is complete, they’re aiming for a whopping 3.5 million barrels.
The Trace Tour is somewhat simplified, and for those of us who are looking for something more in-depth, the Hard Hat Tour offers an extensive look at the parts of the facility that handle everything from grain delivery to distillation. I would have done that tour, if there had been space available on the day and in our schedule. I am sure not all guides are going to have David's in depth knowledge and he probably enjoys the extra time on longer tours to recount all his tales. We stayed behind after the tour with David, swapping stories about his distillery visits to Ireland and Scotland, and even emailed him a list of some in Scotland we recommended for his next trip.
"What's bourbon? Bourbon is magic." (David, Tour guide Buffalo Trace)
David found us some shade among the historic buildings and launched into the basics of bourbon, what makes it different from other whiskeys and the regulations that govern it. He pointed out the new stillhouse, tucked behind construction equipment, which was due to go online just 60 days after our visit. Between bursts of fun and fascinating history, including Prohibition, medicinal whiskey, rectifying, and brand names, he walked us through the distillery, explaining what each building did, from milling to pressure cooking, and finally ageing. And the best part? We could ask questions about absolutely anything, which, of course, our group did.
It was extremely hot, so we headed inside a Warehouse to continue the tour, where the angels share and atmospheric changes in the warehouses were explained. It is all standard stuff, but delivered with enthusiasm, and David knew his stuff. We got lots of details, but explained using references for context from anything from teabags, home cooking, to children. Their oldest product, the Pappy Van Winkel 23 year old, which we can buy in the UK for £6800, starts as a 53 gallon barrel, yet they take out just 3-5 gallons of product after ageing. That's why it is so sought after. This was the first place where the costs of ageing were fully explained, space, employment, yearly tax and more. He also had great advice for tackling whiskey snobbery.
"The world's best bourbon...is the one you like. Stay humble and blind taste everything." (David, Buffalo Trace)
Most of the tour group, all from the US, we were surprised to discover, had little to no knowledge of bourbon regulation, and definitely even less knowledge of whiskey, other than what is made in the US. David explained briefly the rules of Irish, Scotch and Japanese whiskey, before suddenly a secret door in the bookcase opened, and we were ushered through to the barrel storage, as if we were entering bourbon Narnia.
Here we learned how the barrels are stored and labelled. Even the barcodes got a mention, along with the Cartesian coordinate system that shows exactly where each barrel sits in the warehouse. David even explained how an algorithm predicts when a bourbon will be at its peak, which is then checked and confirmed with testing and, of course, plenty of tasting in the lab.
At any one time, the distillery has around 23,000 experimental barrels, and some of those were the ones we got to see. David went into the details of how barrels are made, which was fascinating. At Buffalo Trace, they finish barrels with a number 4 char, a 55-second burn over a gas flame. By now, we were starting to notice the different char ratings at every distillery on our trip. Most of the barrels come from Kentucky or Missouri, and Buffalo Trace has a brand-new cooperage in London, Kentucky. Every barrel is handmade, and it takes about 90 seconds to stand one upright. David suggested we try a barrel-making tour. We didn’t have time this visit, but it’s definitely on our list for next time.
It is a shame that you don’t see the process of actually making Bourbon. You won't come across the stills or mash room. You might need to upgrade to a deeper tour, and as they're all complimentary, it's not a hardship. Good to know too that this tour was accessible too, with lifts into the new tasting areas.
Next, the final flourish, and the ever animated David took us for our tutored tasting in the private tasting rooms. Buffalo Trace went ahead with plans to expand its event space and tasting areas in 2020, and the Tasting Rooms are located next to the new Giants of Bourbon Hall, an event space that is available to rent after hours.
We were disappointed to find branded plastic tasting cups rather than glass ones, as for me they just don't convey the bourbon flavours and notes properly. You certainly cannot see the legs when you swirl in plastic. However, we got vodka, root beer and bourbon cream, along with the standard Buffalo Trace, plus the Eagle Rare and Colonel E.H.Taylor. These last two often change to Blanton's, Sazerac Rye or W.L.Weller, depending on availability.
As we were the only non Americans on the tour, David enjoyed explaining to the group the differences between Scotch and bourbon, using us to add information, especially regarding differences in weather and culture. We felt like expert witnesses.
We started with Wheatley Vodka, created and named after master distiller Harlen Wheatley. It is distilled an impressive 10 times, triple filtered and bottled at 82 proof, and we can buy it in the UK for £24 online and it gets great reviews. The brand are very proud of it. It is lethally smooth and easy drinking.
Working through the tastings we got to Eagle Rare, which we can now buy back home for £38 in our local supermarket or online. It is 10 years old, dry and smooth, bottled at 90 proof/45% ABV.
Our favourite was Colonel E.H. Taylor, aged in warehouse C and bottled in bond, which we have recently found online in the UK for £100. At 50% abv we found it heavy on the caramel and apples, like a tarte tatin on the nose, with vanilla ice cream on the finish. We bagged one for sale in the UK to add to our collection and it was the perfect Father's Day treat for my husband.
We moved on to the root beer, something we don't regularly drink back home. Hubby loved it but I wasn't a fan. Next up was the Bourbon Cream, another one we can get in Scotland for £18. After a small sip we were instructed to make a root beer float, mixing the root beer with the bourbon cream, and for added flavour we could take a bite of the candy, a bourbon ball, made locally by Rebecca Ruth. The chocolates were delicious and although we purchased a box in the shop to bring home, they never made the plane! We scoffed them that night, with a bourbon or two!
With everyone asking if the E.H. Taylor was in stock in the shop, only to be disappointed, David explained the legal ramifications of supply here, which are mind boggling to us from the UK. Kentucky has a 3 tier system, where product made at the distillery has to go off site to a distribution centre, from there to a distributor, from where the distillery has to buy it back, to then sell it in their shop. It's taxed every step of the way. Crazy!
We guessed then that we would be leaving with memories, rather than bottles.
The tour had been unscripted, sometimes frenetic, but David delivered tonnes of information in a memorable way, tailored to suit everyone on the tour.
A great tour guide can make all the difference. They don’t just show you barrels and stills, they bring the place to life. With a good guide, you’re not memorising facts from a leaflet; you’re hearing stories about tornadoes, secret recipes, quirky inventors, and the odd mishap that became legend. They answer every random question, drop in a few jokes, and somehow make the science of bourbon feel like a fascinating adventure. David nailed it.
After the tour you're free to wander the site. Don't underestimate the walking here though, as the site is massive. We spent an hour after the tour further exploring the buildings, many of which have plaques on them telling you about their history. Just come in comfy shoes.
Firehouse Sandwich Stop
For a distillery the size and reputation of Buffalo Trace, it was a surprise that they didn't offer a larger food spot when we visited. The Firehouse Sandwich Stop was open from April until October and offered something simple and tasty, served from the original Firehouse building from the 1930s. You could pre-order boxed lunches for groups of more than ten. I suggested that the brand could find a larger indoor space, to cater for guests in all weathers, that could offer bourbon themed menus, based on the history of the buildings. A Bourbon afternoon tea or a bourbon brunch, before or after your tour, would be fabulous, and cater to even those non bourbon drinkers.
They must have listened, as in 2025 it was announced that they are opening their very first on-site restaurant in spring 2026. It’s going to be called the John G. Carlisle Café, named after the U.S. Congressman who helped pass the Bottled-in-Bond Act, and will sit on the first floor of the Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse, with indoor and porch seating for up to 70 guests. You can expect freshly made sandwiches, salads, soups, a kids’ menu, and cocktails crafted with Buffalo Trace bourbon. The images are giving me Magnolia Press vibes (the Waco, Texas cafe of the extremely popular HGTV star Joanna Gaines's Magnolia brand experience), which I visited a few years ago.
The best part? You won’t need to be on a distillery tour to grab a table. You’ll still check in at the Freehouse welcome building, but after that, it’s all about enjoying good food, a great drink, and the distillery atmosphere. It’s part of a growing trend among Kentucky distilleries, where food, drink, and bourbon tourism come together to make the visit even more memorable.
Shop
The retail space was large and simply furnished, filled with lots of varied items. Just don't expect racks of bourbon, as this is limited. When we visited there was no bourbon we couldn't buy at home and sadly none of the whiskey that we had enjoyed on the tasting.
If you do visit when there is an allocated bottle, arrive early, as they don't save them for tour guests, and be prepared to queue. Wait times in line have been known to be extremely long. It really is luck of the draw. And they don't ship out of the state. It's the law!
There was plenty of ginger beer and bourbon cream on offer though.
I appreciated the Christmas offerings here though. We have a travel themed tree in our sitting room every year, with a growing number of ornaments from our visits to brand homes all over the world. I bought one of the barrel baubles, made from recycled whisky barrel bungs.
But there was something for everyone here, from the sports fan to the dog lover, with baby bibs, cocktail kits, glassware, chess sets, clothing, watches, fudge, you name it.
In conclusion
This is a place where you get so much for free, and in this day and age that's so rare. In fact, you'll get a tour delivered by engaging and entertaining tour guides, who deliver the brand history and message with passion and humour and, in our case, heaps of knowledge.
The range of tour options caters for everyone. Not a whiskey fan (I'll forgive you), then check out a tour of the historic structures and gardens. Keen to delve deeper, and actually see production, then grab a hard hat and head into parts of the distillery that explain the development of the site and whiskey industry in Kentucky.
Photographers, whether professional, amateur, or Instagram enthusiasts, will find an array of stunning buildings and backdrops perfect for capturing memorable shots.
Much like our experiences with distilleries in Japan, the brand’s limited-edition expressions, some of which we tasted during our tour, are exquisite but often unavailable for purchase. These coveted bottles sell out almost immediately upon release, leaving collectors and visitors alike disappointed. These are the bottles that anyone building a collection or wanting a memento of their trip would be looking for, and sadly Buffalo Trace were among many distilleries where we left empty handed.
I have no idea how this could be rectified, but when you make such a long trip, it is gutting to leave with nothing but memories, and a christmas bauble and some chocolates. Luckily we can buy some of the whiskey online in the UK. And if you are lucky enough to visit on a day where these limited releases are available, then expect massive queues. But do consider queuing, as they're worth it. Everyone wants to get their hands on a Blanton or a Pappy.
The design overall is authentic, unfussy and devoid of technical wizardry. This place focuses on the historic buildings and the people delivering the message. There is no hard sell here either.
There is so much scope on site to add even more visitor experiences and facilities, some of which I have suggested, such as indoor or covered areas that are temperature controlled for the benefit of the tour guests and staff alike. More benches would be helpful for those with mobility issues. A few pictures on the standard tour showing the production process, mash tuns and stills for example, would have helped explain the process too. I would jump at the chance to work with Sazerac on these.
The new restaurant will add that all important dwell time, making it even more likely that guests will buy in the shop, but it also offers passersby the chance to encounter the brand's hospitality, if only for a quick bite to eat or a cocktail.
Our visit was so engaging that we’ve shared our experience widely and continue to seek out different releases back home. With so much to offer, a return visit is already planned, as is a trip to the Buffalo Trace London Tasting Room.
Proof that free can indeed be fabulous.
How long was the visit?
We stayed for 3 hours and could have spent even longer here and would return if we lived closer to discover more.
Worth mentioning
Our tour was mostly outdoors, so it’s a good idea to come prepared with an umbrella or waterproof jacket and some water. In the summer it can get very hot, so wear a brimmed hat and definitely wear good walking shoes. It’s dog friendly too.
How much are tickets?
We always pay for our own tickets, though this time the tickets for all tours are free, and this was not part of any advertising.
There are 5 tours available and all need booked way ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
The Trace Tour, which we went on, lasts 75 minutes.
The Hard Hat Tour lasts 90 minutes.
The Old Taylor Tour lasts 75 minutes.
The Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Tour takes 75 minutes.
The National Historic Landmark Tour also lasts 90 minutes.
I'd go back tomorrow if I could and do a few tours in a day.
Opening times
It's always worth checking with the distillery for their current opening times, as they can vary.
Distillery and Gift Shop Hours are Mon-Sat 9:00am-5:00pm ET and Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm ET and they are closed Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Address
Buffalo Trace Distillery, 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, KY 40601
Website: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Where we stayed:
Hotel options were pretty limited for a week in July 2022, peak tourist season and just after Independence Day in the US, and we wanted to feel more at home in Louisville, so booked an Airbnb in the historic Henry Clay building hosted by Ashlyn.
This was perfect for us, one bedroom, Wi-Fi, kitchen, aircon and a parking space, which was ideal for our hire car. Looking at the images on Airbnb, she seems to have revamped her apartment further. When we visited, we must mention that the city was extremely quiet, almost like a ghost town in places and certainly not everything opens all week. It can be tricky to find places for food on a Sunday, as even Subway was shut! There wasn’t a large supermarket in town that we could walk to and even bars at night were very quiet. We’re used to cities having more hustle and bustle and this will, no doubt, all change with even more visitors coming to the city. Say Hi to Ashlyn from us if you book in. We're not being paid to advertise her place, but we can recommend it and I wouldn't stay anywhere else.
Getting here:
We were on a 3-week road trip from the UK, travelling from Atlanta to Detroit, so we came to Louisville by car, which was extremely easy. Having the car made visiting distilleries out of town for two days a breeze, but you can use tour companies that operate small tour buses for this if you don’t have a car at your disposal. The car did sit in the parking garage for 4 days, so it wasn’t the best use of the rental financially, but we appreciated the convenience.
Getting to Frankfort for Buffalo Trace was a breeze, an hour by car from Louisville with lovely scenery along the route.
What else is there to see close by:
In Frankfort you're on the Kentucky Bourbon trail, so if you like your whiskey, you'll enjoy your stay. You can visit 2 or 3 distilleries a day and still not see them all in a weekend. You can read our report on what to do on and off the Bourbon here.
Castle & Key Distillery is only a 15 minute drive away and as I mentioned earlier, is directly linked to the history of Buffalo Trace. They have tonnes of once abandoned historic buildings to tour, on a site that was renovated over 4 years and reopened in 2018. With Kentucky’s first female Master Distiller since Prohibition, Marianne Eaves, the brand released Restoration Rye, their first aged spirit in December 2020.
Frankfort is the State capital and could be a picturesque pit stop, with breweries, wineries, museums, galleries, shops and a host of outdoor activities.
Kentucky is horse country, famously known for the Kentucky Derby and horse must check out nearby Lexington where many stables offer farm tours and experiences.
Louiseville is an hour away and has a few personal favourites of ours. The Frazier History Museum, located on Louisville’s “Museum Row” in the West Main District of downtown blends historic artefacts with educational exhibitions that bring you right up to date with Kentuckian culture.
And sports fans can check out our guide to the Louisville Slugger Museum, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Even if you're not into baseball, like us, I defy you not to enjoy this museum.
Further reading
Drink fans, if you liked this article then check out our guide to Jack Daniel's, The Black Sheep Brewery, Campari, Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Evan Williams, Coppercraft, Llanerch Vineyard, Empirical and White Castle Vineyard. More drink related visitor guides coming soon.
Photographs: ©Julie White unless noted otherwise
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed are solely my own. I paid for the tours in full and any comments reflect my personal experiences on that day. Please drink responsibly. Please visit and garner your own thoughts and feel free to research the brand and the visitor centre in question.
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