Buffalo Trace

Introduction:

Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, Kentucky, proudly holds the distinction of being recognized as the “world’s most award – winning distillery.” This esteemed distillery has garnered numerous prestigious titles, including World Whisky of the Year, Distiller of the Year from publications like Whisky Magazine and Malt Whisky Advocate Magazine, and accolades from Icons of Whisky. The name “Buffalo Trace” frequently appears on the list of winners, a testament to its exceptional quality.

In 2013, Buffalo Trace Distillery achieved another remarkable feat by being designated as a National Historic Landmark. This distinction serves as a testament to the distillery’s historical significance and enduring legacy. With a rich history spanning over 200 years, Buffalo Trace seamlessly blends innovation and tradition, resulting in its resounding success.

The Whiskey:

Buffalo Trace Distillery, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, is renowned for its portfolio of distinguished Whiskey labels, including Buffalo Trace, Blanton’s Single Barrel, George T. Stagg, Sazerac Rye, W.L. Weller, Ancient Age, Antique Collection, Stagg Jr., Van Winkle, and Eagle Rare, among others. As a central hub in the heart and capital of Kentucky, the distillery plays a pivotal role in the world of Whiskey.

Buffalo Trace employs three distinct mash recipes to craft different types of Whiskey:

1. Rye Bourbon This recipe constitutes the majority of Bourbon production, with rye being the key secondary grain alongside corn. An acclaimed small batch Bourbon, Buffalo Trace, is aged around 8 years and bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV). It showcases a harmonious balance of corn’s sweetness and rye’s spiciness. The distillery uses two mash bills for their rye bourbons, with varying proportions of corn and rye, supplemented by a touch of malted barley.
2. Wheat Bourbon In this variation, the rye is replaced by wheat, resulting in a smoother and sweeter profile. W.L. Weller, a pioneer in wheat bourbons, is aged for 7 years and bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV). It offers enticing notes of caramel, honey, butterscotch, and wood.
3. Straight Rye Whiskey The Sazerac Straight Rye, rooted in New Orleans’ historical legacy, stands as a testament to quality and tradition. It has earned accolades like gold at the International Wine & Spirits Competition and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Matured for 6 to 7 years, this rye whiskey is marked by spiciness, featuring notes of clove, vanilla, pepper, citrus, and licorice, all at 90 proof (45% ABV).

The Production:

Buffalo Trace Distillery boasts a rich history of Whiskey production spanning over two centuries. While names, ownership, and labels have evolved, the commitment to crafting top-quality Whiskey has remained constant throughout its existence. The distillery underwent renovations when the Goldring family assumed ownership in 1999 and integrated it into the Sazerac Company. Today, it stands as a modern and highly productive distillery that embraces its storied past while looking ahead to a future of exceptional Whiskey production.

The Mashing:

Following the grain and water mixture, the mashing process at Buffalo Trace Distillery involves cooking the ingredients separately under high pressure at approximately 240°F (115°C). Corn and rye are cooked individually before being combined, and malted barley is subsequently introduced. The distillery employs a large Mash Cooker with a capacity of 10,100 gallons, alongside smaller cookers for producing their small batches, including the renowned Blanton’s. This meticulous process ensures the creation of high-quality Whiskey.

The Fermentation:

Buffalo Trace Distillery boasts the largest fermenters in the Whiskey industry, capable of holding up to 92,000 gallons of mash each. The distillery employs a sour mash process for fermentation, where the cooked sweet mash is blended with portions of the previous batch in these fermenters. Additionally, a ventilation system ensures the removal of carbon dioxide from the fermentation environment, contributing to the production of their high-quality Whiskey.

The Distillation:

Buffalo Trace Distillery’s still house stands at four stories tall. Within this facility, a large column still with a capacity of 60,000 gallons is employed, resulting in a highly refined and pure distilled spirit. Two tail houses are utilized to monitor and control the spirits from both the column still and the doubler. Following the distillation process through eight layers, the resulting white dog has an impressive 148 proof (74% ABV). Any remaining byproducts, known as heads and tails, are repurposed for sour mash production and as cattle feed, showcasing the distillery’s commitment to sustainability.

Warehouses and Bottling Hall:

At Buffalo Trace Distillery, the white dog undergoes a dilution process, reducing its strength to 125 proof (62.5% ABV), before being transferred into barrels. The barrels are marked with details about the distillation process before being transported to various warehouses across the campus. The distillery employs a comprehensive rail system for barrel transportation. Buffalo Trace has a diverse range of warehouses, including some designated for experimental purposes to investigate the effects of different storage conditions, such as lighting.

Following meticulous selection and passing quality checks in the lab, the Whiskey proceeds to the bottling hall. The bottling process at Buffalo Trace combines advanced technology with traditional craftsmanship. While some Whiskeys are bottled using automated systems, the Blanton’s Single Barrel is bottled in a small station that accommodates six bottles simultaneously. Labels for Blanton’s are handwritten and applied by hand, exemplifying the distillery’s attention to detail.

In July 2015, Buffalo Trace made a forward-looking investment of $20 million in a new robotic Storehouse, embodying the harmonious blend of tradition and innovation that characterizes the distillery’s approach.

The History:

Buffalo Trace Distillery has a rich history dating back to the late 1700s. Officially founded in 1869 by E.H. Taylor Jr., the distilling legacy of the location goes even further back. Taylor named the distillery Old Fire Copper (O.F.C.). In 1877, he sold it to George T. Stagg, who embarked on expansions by acquiring additional land and constructing new warehouses to meet the growing demand of the booming Whiskey market. However, a fire caused by a lightning strike led to the distillery’s destruction, prompting an immediate reconstruction.

In 1886, Buffalo Trace became a pioneer by being the first distillery to implement steam heating for climate control in its warehouses. Colonel Albert Blanton assumed the role of president of the distillery, now known as George T. Stagg Distillery. Under his leadership, the distillery navigated through the early 20th century and continued operating for medicinal purposes during the Prohibition era. In 1952, the distillery was renamed Blanton’s Distillery in honor of Colonel Blanton’s contributions.

Elmer T. Lee joined the distillery in 1949 and eventually became its manager in 1968. After changing ownership several times, an investor group took control in 1982, only for the distillery to return to family ownership in 1992 when it was purchased by the Goldring family, owners of the Sazerac Company. This acquisition has anchored Buffalo Trace Distillery as a family-owned and operated enterprise.

Visitor Center:

Visiting Buffalo Trace Distillery and participating in the standard Trace Tour does not require a reservation unless you have a group of 25 or more people. The distillery offers various tours, all of which are complimentary.

Opened

Monday – Saturday  9 am – 4 pm
Sunday (April – October only) 12 pm – 3 pm
(Closed on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.)
The Trace Tour leaves every hour, on the hour.

Visitor information:

The Buffalo Trace Distillery
The Leestown Company
1001 Wilkinson Boulevard
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
Tel.: +1(502) 223-7641
Fax.: +1(502) 875-5553