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Everything you need to know about Buffalo Trace Distillery
Most popular bottles from the distillery
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Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye Whiskey 75cl£149.99 Inc VAT -
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey£29.99 Inc VAT -
Sazerac Legacy Canadian Whisky Small Batch£79.99 Inc VAT
A brief History
Buffalo Trace, Kentucky Region, USA . Founded in Late 1700's
Buffalo Trace Distillery: Kentucky Bourbon Done Properly
If you’ve spent any time around bourbon, you’ve heard the name Buffalo Trace. It’s one of those distilleries that manages to feel both historic and current at the same time. Based in Frankfort, Kentucky, this site has been making whiskey since the late 1700s in one form or another. Fires, floods, Prohibition — it has seen all of it and kept going.
Today, Buffalo Trace Distillery is known for producing some of the most sought-after bourbons in the world. But it’s not just about hype bottles or secondary market madness. At its core, Buffalo Trace is about consistency and depth. The distillery runs multiple mash bills, ages whiskey in vast brick warehouses, and gives casks time to do their job.
What I like about Buffalo Trace is that even the entry-level bottle carries weight. It’s not flashy. It’s not over-oaked. It’s balanced, confident bourbon that works neat, with a splash of water, or in a proper Old Fashioned. For UK drinkers exploring American whiskey beyond the obvious supermarket options, Buffalo Trace is often where the real journey begins.
Taste Profile
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Sweet |
Spicy | Oaky / Woody |
Buffalo Trace is known for a rich, rounded, and slightly sweet bourbon style, with structure from oak and warmth from spice.
Expect caramel and vanilla up front, followed by baking spice and a steady oak backbone. The finish is warming but controlled, with enough depth to keep things interesting.
Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients
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Peat Smoke |
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Vanilla |
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Cinnamon / Clove |
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Oak / Wood Spice |
Popular Buffalo Trace Bottles
Buffalo Trace produces a wide range, from everyday bourbon to highly allocated releases.
| Whisky | Style | What You’ll Notice |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon | Bourbon | Caramel, vanilla, gentle spice |
| Eagle Rare 10 Year Old | Aged Bourbon | Richer oak, dark fruit, smooth finish |
| Blanton’s Single Barrel | Single Barrel Bourbon | Honey, spice, clean oak |
| George T. Stagg | Barrel Proof Bourbon | Intense sweetness, bold oak |
| Weller Special Reserve | Wheated Bourbon | Soft sweetness, creamy texture |
Many of these share common DNA but show different sides of the same house style.
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The Distillery
The Distiller: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Address: Buffalo Trace Distillery, 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky, USA
 Open in maps |
 https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/ |
 +1 502 696 5926 |
Visitor Centre & Opening Times
Yes — Buffalo Trace has a large visitor centre and is one of the most visited stops on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
What you can expect:
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Guided distillery tours
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Warehouse tastings
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Gift shop and bottle releases
Typical Opening Times:
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Monday – Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
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Sunday: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Tours are popular and often fill quickly, so booking ahead is wise.
Ownership & Distillery History
Buffalo Trace has operated under several names over the centuries, including the George T. Stagg Distillery.
Ownership Timeline:
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18th–19th Century: Early whiskey production on site
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Late 1800s: Operated as the George T. Stagg Distillery
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1992 – Present: Owned by Sazerac Company
Despite changes in name and ownership, the site has remained a working whiskey distillery for over two centuries.
Distillery Facts
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Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
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Location: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA
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Type: Bourbon and rye whiskey producer
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Status: One of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the United States
Historical Background
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Production at the Buffalo Trace site dates back to the late 18th century.
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The distillery operated through Prohibition by producing medicinal whiskey.
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It has changed ownership multiple times but has remained operational for well over 200 years.
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The name “Buffalo Trace” refers to ancient buffalo migration paths in the region.
Production Facts
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Distils using traditional methods with both column and pot still components depending on the expression.
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Bourbon mash bills are high in corn (typically 70% or more), with rye or wheat and malted barley.
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Rye whiskies use a high percentage of rye in the mash bill.
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Maturation takes place in new charred oak barrels.
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Kentucky climate — hot summers and cold winters — accelerates barrel interaction and flavour extraction.
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The distillery uses proprietary yeast strains and long fermentation.
Core and Notable Whiskies
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Buffalo Trace Bourbon: The flagship expression — balanced and approachable bourbon.
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Eagle Rare: Aged longer with deeper oak influence.
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George T. Stagg: High-proof, richly structured bourbon.
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William Larue Weller: Wheated bourbon with depth and sweetness.
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Four Grain Bourbon: Uses corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley for complexity.
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Sazerac Rye: Classic rye whiskey with spice and balance.
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Other Rye Variants: Higher rye styles with more spice intensity.
Style and House Profile
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Buffalo Trace bourbons generally emphasise:
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Rich caramel and toffee sweetness
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Vanilla and oak spice
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Dark fruit and baking spices
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Balanced, medium to long finish
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Ryes emphasise:
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Pepper and spice
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Citrus peel
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Toasted grain character
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Reputation
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Highly respected in American whiskey circles.
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Known for quality, consistency, and range from everyday sippers to collectible high-proof releases.
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Many expressions are sought after by enthusiasts and collectors.
Buffalo Trace Whiskey to Buy
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