Buffalo Trace Distillery: The Trace Tour

There have been a few significant adventures in whiskey in my life this year. From starting the year off with A Tasting of 4 Van Winkle Bourbon Whiskeys at Forman’s Whiskey Tavern to Breckenridge Distillery after my Adult Group Snowboarding Lesson at Breckenridge Resort, this year – more than any other year – felt prime for me going deeper in my explorations of this fine spirit.

So, when I planned a short trip along the Bourbon Trail after visiting friends in Nashville, there was only one destination that stood as my ultimate goal: Buffalo Trace Distillery.

Obtaining a Reservation

Now, once I had this grand idea – I visited Buffalo Trace’s website and was shocked that – a few months out – all tours for the day that I wanted to visit were marked Sold Out. I was impressed as much as I was annoyed. So, I put myself on the waiting list to receive notification if a spot became available.

However, the week of my trip – realized I still hadn’t received an email notifying that a spot had opened up. However, in a moment of intuition I checked the booking site. Immediately – to my utter shock – I noticed the date that I wanted, at the exact time I wanted, had one spot available. I was mystified. Within moments, I made my reservation and began looking forward to what was to come.

Driving from Nashville to Frankfort

One key detail made the day run smoothly: time zones. Thanks to Ogden’s advice the night before, I left Nashville one hour earlier than I’d planned, mindful that half of Tennessee and Kentucky run on Central time while the other half run on Eastern.

The Gift Shop at Buffalo Trace

Waiting for my tour to start, I walked the grounds and enjoyed the gift shop. After reviewing the Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Product Availability website earlier the day, I knew which bottles I would be taking home with me. But, I also knew that there would be at least something that would be the highest value in the shop.

So, as I waited for my tour to start, I walked up to a friendly faced young man who was standing at one of the smaller tasting areas around the engraving area.

“What is the one thing that you would say is a must buy at the company store?” I asked him.

“Well, there’s the one limited release bottle that’s out right now.” he answered.

Turns out that it was a small batch limited release of Single Oak Project that was placed out that morning. Such a delicious happenstance. I bought a bottle and quickly made my way to join my tour.

The Trace Tour at Buffalo Trace

Allan, my group’s tour guide, was a delight.

Buffalo Trace was named such due to the buffalo that used to cross behind the distillery. In 1992, it was purchased by the Sazerac Company, now owned by the William Goldring and his family. Buffalo Trace was rebranded in 1999 from the George T. Stagg Distillery. Since then, it’s become the powerhouse it is today – making Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle among others.

Allan, our tour guide, was both knowledgeable and entertaining. He explained that bourbon ceases to age if the temperature falls below 44°, which is why steam is pumped into the warehouses during winter. He also highlighted the scale of the operation: 2,200 – 2,300 white oak barrels filled every day, and one of the only distilleries in the world with its own cooperage.

Allan really brought home the importance of wood in the whiskey process.

Yes, bourbon is classified as a type of whiskey. But, not all whiskey is bourbon. In order for the bourbon designation, the whiskey has to be at least 51% corn.

Additionally, he shared that Buffalo Trace Distillery spans  500 acres, with 40 rick houses on property.

We toured the grounds, stepping inside one of the oldest rickhouses, where Allan joked, “This is the haunted building on site because it’s full of old spirits.” His passion for bourbon shone through as he spoke about Elmer T. Lee saving bourbon in America, and Blanton’s Single Barrel saving Buffalo Trace itself.

At another point during the tour, Allan mused that Elmer Tandy Lee, a former master distiller at Buffalo Trace Distillery saved bourbon in the United States. And Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon saved Buffalo Trace Distillery.

After touring the small batch bottling area, the tour was complete.

The Buffalo Trace Tasting: Five Expressions of the Brand

Concluding the walking tour of the experience, it was time for the tasting. Before me, were five expressions of the brand:

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Sazerac Rye
Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Special Reserve
Buffalo Trace Distillery Experiment Collection: Organic 6 Grain Whiskey
Alongside, a Kentucky bourbon ball made by Rebecca and Ruth.

My favorite of all of them was the Buffalo Trace Distillery Experiment Collection: Organic 6 Grain Whiskey. Unfortunately, it was not for sale. Otherwise, I would have immediately walked away with a bottle. It was that good.

Memories

Visiting Buffalo Trace Distillery wasn’t just another stop along the Bourbon Trail – it was one of the pinnacles of my whiskey journey this year.

From beginning the year with a tasting of four Van Winkle bourbons at Forman’s Whiskey Tavern to sampling spirits high in the mountains at Breckenridge Distillery after a snowboarding lesson, this year has been full of unforgettable whiskey moments. Each experience deepened my appreciation.

But Buffalo Trace was different. It brought everything together: the heritage, the innovation, the sense of place. Standing among the aging barrels, breathing in the sweet, oaky air, I felt connected to something much larger and gave me closure on a few outstanding memories.

What made it truly special wasn’t just the taste of the whiskey expressions, but the serendipity that led me there: from the last-minute reservation opening to the bottles in the gift shop. It felt as if the day itself had unfolded exactly as it was meant to.

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