which tour is the best at buffalo trace

Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour: What To Know Before You Go

By: Author Melody Pittman

Posted on May 16, 2023

Buffalo Trace Distillery – a must-visit Kentucky bourbon destination! This top-notch facility, voted “2018 Distiller of the Year”, is over 200 years old and found in Frankfort. Even if you’re not a bourbon lover, you’ll find enjoyment in your visit. The property itself covers 440 acres, and tours and tastings are free. Don’t miss out!

How to Get to the Buffalo Trace Distillery

Come visit Buffalo Trace Distillery, just 28 miles away from Lexington , Kentucky, or 55 miles from Louisville . Buffalo Trace is a National Historic Landmark that’s sure to impress.

Distillery Hours and Tour Prices

The wide variety of tours at Buffalo Trace Distillery run Monday through Friday and include a complimentary tasting. Note that reservations are required and tours are not available on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Discover the rich history and delicious bourbon of Buffalo Trace with a variety of tours! The Trace Tour is the most popular option that offers a glimpse into the brand’s past and an introduction to the iconic property . Available daily, no reservations required!

Learn about our pre-prohibition distilling history on the National Historic Landmark Tour, which focuses on the architecture and Buffalo Trace property, mostly from 1933 to 1953.

Get spooked on the Ghost Tour with legendary stories of haunted areas like Stony Point Mansion and The Old Taylor House. This one is only available Thursday through Saturday evenings.

For bourbon enthusiasts, the Bourbon Barrel Tour is the perfect pick. Discover the bourbon aging process, barrels, and what happens to them when they can no longer store the beloved bourbon.

Fun Fact : Buffalo Trace is America’s oldest continually-operating distillery.

The Whiskey Making Process

Come explore the secrets of the 90-proof (45% alcohol by volume) whiskey at EH Taylor Tour and Buffalo Trace’s Hard Hat Tour! Get an exclusive look at the distilling process, from grain to bottle.

Experience the unique “Bourbon Pompeii” on the E. H. Taylor Tour and learn about the man himself, while the Hard Hat Tour takes you on a journey from the grain distillery process to bottling. The tours offer sensory delights that will make any whiskey lover swoon.

Don’t miss your chance to discover how your favorite drink is made – tours run on Saturdays too!

The Tasting and Buffalo Trace Distillery Brands

Meet Mr. Freddie Johnson – the third-generation Buffalo Trace Distillery employee, local celebrity (Neat: The Story of Bourbon), and 2018 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee. As a VIP Visitor Lead at the distillery, Freddie is the ultimate tasting guide, making sipping and sampling an unforgettable experience.

During my visit, Freddie showcased his expertise with a selection of premium products – Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Rare Eagle Bourbon Whiskey, Wheatley Vodka, Bourbon Cream (think a beefed-up Bailey’s Irish Cream), and Freddie’s Root Beer. He even explained how to properly sip and get your mouth warmed up for the bourbon tasting.

Trust me when I say that pairing Bourbon Cream with soda is the ultimate dessert-like experience! I couldn’t resist taking both products home to enjoy later. And, of course, we couldn’t leave without indulging in a Rebecca Ruth Bourbon Ball made with Buffalo Trace.

Thanks to Freddie’s charming personality and passion for all things bourbon, my visit to Buffalo Trace Distillery was an incredible highlight and a must-do for any spirit enthusiast.

Buffalo Trace brands include O.F.C. Vintages, Van Winkle, Bourbon Cream, Benchmark, Wheatley Vodka, Ancient Age, and many more. One of the most coveted photography spots at Buffalo Trace Distillery is inside, with the hundreds of aging barrels as the backdrop.

Masks were required during my visit, but I will cherish the photo opportunity and remember learning about an essential part of Kentucky’s history.

Bonus Features at The Trace

Don’t forget to check out the Whiskey Vault, where rare and oldest bottles are displayed. As your tour guide explains the collection’s significance, appreciate the vast history within this tiny space. Cap off your visit at the George T. Staff Gift Shop and Gallery, where you will find signature logo apparel, collector’s items, bourbons, Wheatley Vodka, and more.

If you can’t make it in person, you can do a virtual tour at buffalotracedistillery.com/virtualtour .

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Touring the Buffalo Trace Distillery

By Richard Thomas

Buffalo Trace has built up an impressive reputation for crafting a wide, deep line of premium American whiskeys, as well as for its willingness to experiment with new whiskey-making techniques. That reputation has made the distillery’s Frankfort, Kentucky facility a fixture on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a must-see for any serious fan of Kentucky bourbon.

The distillery offers not one, but three tours. The option that best matches the usual expectation of a distillery tour is the Hard Hat Tour, which goes through the guts of the whiskey-making process at Buffalo Trace. This is the tour I went on , and therefore my observations reflect it. The other two formats are the Trace Tour, focused more on the history of Buffalo Trace and bourbon generally, and the Post-Prohibition Tour, which examines the architecture of the distillery and its comeback in the post-Prohibition era.

The Hard Hat Tour follows typical lines, providing a show-and-tell experience for the basics of whiskey-making. Visitors get to see huge fermenting vats, cookers, the plant’s main still, and in a nice touch the tour also visits Buffalo Trace’s in-house micro-distillery, where most of the limited editions are made. Another nice touch is that if the still is running (and it usually is), visitors are offered hot white dog straight fresh from distilling. Try rinsing your hands with it, and see how fast the high-proof spirits evaporate away. After a stroll in a barrel warehouse and a peek at the bottling plant, the tour ends back at its starting point in the gift shop with a tasting of two whiskeys.

My experience with distillery tours is that they fall into two categories: big factories and small, pretty places. Buffalo Trace is certainly a big industrial distillery, and it feels like one. The fermenting vats are many, huge and made of stainless steel; on the inside, the facility sometimes seems to be all pipes and machinery.

Yet the place is also old and eclectic. Most of the buildings date to the 1930s, with some going back as far as the late 19th Century. The machinery has a wonderful cobbled-together feel, as repairs are often done using parts made by the distillery’s in-house machine shop, and this combined with the age adds a romantic flair to the factory atmosphere. Finally, there is the natural beauty of distillery’s leafy green perch on the banks of the Kentucky River. Buffalo Trace might be a big factory in some respects, but it never, ever feels like one, and therefore combines the best of both the big industrial experience with the small, pretty place bourbon tour.

Tours are offered Monday through Saturday, start with every hour, and are always complimentary . If you want a tour other than the Hard Hat Tour (if I ever find the time to stop by again, I’m going on Post-Prohibition), you might want to call or e-mail ahead about the schedule, since most outings are of the Hard Hat variety.

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There’s also a Ghost Tour, which looks into the more haunted sites, including the rarely visited Stony Point Mansion where Col. Blanton died in 1959 (and is rumored to still haunt Buffalo Trace!)

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Tour Details

Tour sizes are limited. Check availability of all tours by time and date. 

The Trace Tour leaves at least hourly or more frequently as needed. 

Due to limited quantities of our whiskeys, we only offer a few brands for tasting and purchasing in our Visitor Center.   Learn More

Tour & Tasting

113 Great Buffalo Trace, 

Frankfort, KY 40601

Driving Directions

Other tours you might like.

The Trace Tour

Old Taylor Tour

Botanical Gardens Tour

Taste of the Trace

Hard Hat Tour

National Historic Landmark Tour

• Trip Advisor

Let's chat about the possibilities

Buffalo Trace Distillery

America’s oldest continually-operating distillery is Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Ky. After remaining open for “medicinal purposes” throughout Prohibition, this historic site boasts four centuries of architecture on 440 acres.

The Distillery Tour

Home to a long list of popular bourbons and whiskeys (including E.H. Taylor, Pappy Van Winkle, W.L. Weller, Rock Hill Farms, Elmer T. Lee and George T. Stagg), the Buffalo Trace Distillery tour offers a look into their bourbon-making process, a walk through a rickhouse and a pass along the bottling line where each bottle of Blanton’s bourbon is hand-labeled and corked.

Mint Julep Experiences offers tours to Buffalo Trace every week.

The Bourbon Tastings

A tasting may include Buffalo Trace bourbon, Eagle Rare bourbon, Buffalo Trace White Dog Mash #1, Wheatley Vodka or Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream. Unfortunately, you will not be able to taste or purchase Pappy Van Winkle bourbons on your Buffalo Trace tour — sorry!

BOOK A MINT JULEP TOUR HERE

Photo by Buffalo Trace

Things to know about Buffalo Trace

Frequently asked questions.

Where is Buffalo Trace bourbon made?

Buffalo Trace bourbon is made at 113 Great Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, Ky.

Who owns Buffalo Trace?

The Sazerac Company owns the Buffalo Trace brand.

What bourbons and whiskeys does Buffalo Trace produce?

Brands produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery include Buffalo Trace, Sazerac Rye, George T. Stagg, Eagle Rare, William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, Elmer T. Lee, Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Collection, Old Rip Van Winkle, Van Winkle, Pappy Van Winkle, Rock Hill Farms, Hancock’s Reserve, W.L. Weller, Ancient Age, McAffee’s Benchmark Old No. 8, Old Charter, Stagg Jr., Blanton’s, Wheatley Vodka, Hiram Walker’s Ten High, and Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream. Not all brands are available for purchase and/or tasting on site.

Is Buffalo Trace on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

No, Buffalo Trace Distillery is not a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®.

Which distilleries are near Buffalo Trace?

Nearby distilleries east of Louisville in the Frankfort area include Woodford Reserve , Wild Turkey , Castle & Key and Three Boys Farm Distillery .

Where can I find out more about Buffalo Trace?

Learn about Buffalo Trace at buffalotracedistillery.com .

Start Planning Your Kentucky Bourbon Distillery Tour

Let’s start planning your ultimate Kentucky bourbon distillery tour today! We offer a variety of public tours as well as custom-made experiences that are tailored to your every bourbon desire.

CONTACT AN EXPERIENCE COORDINATOR

Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour Frankfort, Kentucky

Buffalo trace distillery tour: a signature experience in bourbon town.

Set off on an exploratory journey with the Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour, a pivotal part of the renowned Bourbon Town Tours. In the heart of a region celebrated for its distilling legacy, Buffalo Trace Distillery offers an immersive experience into the world of bourbon and spirits. Ideal for both connoisseurs and curious visitors, this tour provides a comprehensive look into the art of distilling, showcasing time-honored traditions and modern innovations.

Discover with Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

Buffalo Trace Distillery, with its rich history and esteemed reputation, is a landmark in the spirits industry. The tour commences with an enlightening backstory of the distillery’s origins, its evolution through the years, and its commitment to excellence in bourbon making. This introduction provides context and depth to the tour, illustrating the distillery’s significant role in shaping the bourbon industry.

Journey Through the Art of Distillation

Visitors on the Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour are guided through the intricate process of bourbon making. From grain selection and milling to fermentation, distillation, aging, and bottling, each step is detailed thoroughly. The tour is interactive and educational, giving guests a firsthand look at the meticulous care and expertise that goes into each bottle of Buffalo Trace bourbon.

Tasting Sessions: Exploring Rich Flavors

A key feature of the tour is the tasting session, where guests sample a range of Buffalo Trace’s finest bourbons and spirits. These sessions, conducted by knowledgeable guides, delve into the diverse flavor profiles of each bourbon, highlighting the unique characteristics that make Buffalo Trace’s products stand out in the world of spirits.

Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Impact on the Community

The tour also focuses on the distillery’s contributions to the local community and the spirits industry. Buffalo Trace Distillery is not just a producer of fine bourbons; it is a steward of bourbon culture, actively involved in preserving and promoting the heritage of bourbon making in Bourbon Town and beyond.

An Inclusive Experience for All

The Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour is crafted to cater to a wide range of interests and knowledge levels. Whether you are a bourbon enthusiast or new to the world of spirits, the tour offers an engaging and informative experience. The welcoming environment ensures that every visitor, regardless of their background, enjoys a memorable and insightful visit.

Educational Aspects of the Tour

The tour extends beyond bourbon tasting, offering valuable insights into the broader context of the spirits industry. Participants learn about the historical evolution of bourbon, the nuances of different types of spirits, and current trends in distilling. This educational aspect provides a more complete understanding of the craft of bourbon making.

Sustainability Initiatives at Buffalo Trace Distillery

Sustainability is a key theme at Buffalo Trace Distillery, as highlighted during the tour. The distillery’s commitment to using sustainable practices, including environmental stewardship and resource conservation, demonstrates its dedication to responsible production and care for the environment.

Special Events and Limited Edition Releases

Buffalo Trace Distillery is known for its array of special events and limited-edition bourbon releases. During the tour, visitors receive information about these exclusive opportunities, inviting them to engage further with the distillery and the dynamic bourbon community.

A Must-Do on Bourbon Town Tours

The Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour is an enlightening and enjoyable experience for anyone interested in the art of bourbon making and the history of spirits. As a key component of Bourbon Town Tours, it’s a must-visit for anyone seeking to delve into the rich world of bourbon and spirits.

Are you ready to uncover the secrets of bourbon making? Book your Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour today and join us for an enriching journey into the heart of bourbon country. Connect with fellow bourbon lovers, learn about the intricate process of distilling, and experience the best of Bourbon Town’s bourbon culture. Sign up now for an unforgettable adventure at Buffalo Trace Distillery!

Why BourbonTown Tours Is The Perfect Choice?

Pocket-friendly adventures.

Embark on an unforgettable journey without burning a hole in your pocket.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Experiences

Discover hidden gems and lesser-known spots that only we can guide you to.

Passionate & Knowledgeable Team

With our expert crew, each tour goes beyond sightseeing.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Colonel E. H. Taylor Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Ancient Age KY Straight Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Benchmark Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Double Eagle Very Rare Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Eagle Rare 17 Year Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

George T. Stagg KY Straight Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

O.F.C Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Old Charter KY Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Old Rip Van Winkle Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Pappy Van Winkle 12 Year Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Sazerac Rye Whiskey – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Weller 12 Year Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Weller Antique 107 Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Weller Special Reserve Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Wheatley Vodka – Buffalo Trace Distillery

William Larue Weller KY Straight Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Rye Whiskey – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Bourbon – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Sazerac Rye 18 Year – Buffalo Trace Distillery

Vacation starts with our tours around kentucky, enjoy amazing tours along the kentucky bourbon trail with a great team of expert guides..

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Bourbon Fun during a Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

See what it’s like to take a Buffalo Trace distillery tour at the famous Frankfort Kentucky distillery.

Imagine our surprise when we made a stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for our Buffalo Trace distillery tour in Frankfort and met our tour guide from … wait for it … Philadelphia .

With a southern drawl and a warm, welcoming smile, the tour guide seemed every bit like a local at first glance. We totally assumed that he was born and bred in Kentucky until he shared the news that not only was he from Philadelphia but also that he had once lived just five blocks from the house that we left behind when we answered the call to travel .

Buffalo Trace Distillery

Located just 660 miles from Philadelphia, Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort feels like another world. Instead of the high rises and parking lots that define the Philadelphia landscape, horse farms and distilleries dot the grassy landscape of Frankfort’s rolling green hills.

Originally called the O.F.C. Distillery and later the George T. Stagg Distillery, Buffalo Trace makes many bourbons beyond its signature Buffalo Trace whiskey including cult favorite Pappy Van Winkle and Blanton’s.

Inspired by wild buffalo that once roamed freely along the Kentucky River on passes called traces, parent Sazerac Company renamed the company to Buffalo Trace in 1999. The parent company is currently spending $1.2 billion to expand the distillery’s campus.

Discover our favorite bourbon cocktails .

Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

We know how we got to Buffalo Trace from Philadelphia – a simple detour from Cincinnati to Nashville during our epic road trip. After visiting Graeter’s , one of the country’s greatest ice cream company, it was a no-brainer for us to visit Buffalo Trace, one of the country’s greatest bourbon distiller.

But how did tour guide Fred Mozenter get to Buffalo Trace from Philadelphia? It’s not exactly a normal path to move from Philadelphia to Frankfort. And how did he end up with a coveted job working at the distillery where he traded his Philly accent for a southern drawl?

It turns out that Mozenter worked for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) as a store manager for 34 years before taking an early retirement package. Upon retiring, he decided to pursue his true passion – bourbon.

That passion led him to Kentucky and his second career at Buffalo Trace. Hired because he could “make bourbon fun”, Mozenter has been giving tours at Buffalo Trace since he moved south to Frankfort with no end in sight.

History and Fun

During the Buffalo Trace Bourbon tour, Mozenter educated us about the company’s storied history which dates back hundreds of years and survived prohibition.

The oldest continuing operating distillery, Buffalo Trace distributed bourbon for “medicinal purposes” during prohibition. Today, the distillery displays memorabilia from its history including site maps and pictures detailing the long, eventful past.

The Buffalo Trace Hard Hat Tour shows Buffalo Trace Bourbon in its various stages as it transforms from corn mash to liquid gold.

Starting with the cookhouse and the huge fermentation vats, the tour is hands-on – literally. During the tour, participants get to taste fermenting mash and wash their hands with freshly distilled bourbon, activities that let all five senses experience the distilling process.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Tasting

“All bourbons are whiskey but not all whiskeys are bourbons.”

We learned that 95% of all bourbon is distilled in Kentucky and the state’s limestone water gives bourbon its distinct flavor. We also learned that the remaining 5% is made elsewhere in the United States, but the taste is not the same without Kentucky’s limestone water.

At the end of the tour, we tasted four different Buffalo Trace brands distilled at Buffalo Trace including Clix vodka and decadently rich bourbon cream . As an unexpected treat, we indulged in Buffalo Trace Bourbon chocolates made by a local chocolatier, Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory. All of these products and more are available at the distillery’s onsite Buffalo Trace gift shop.

We will long remember Buffalo Trace’s distillery tour, especially when we drink Buffalo Trace bourbon. We will especially remember the tour guide, Fred Mozenter.

Just like his getting the job at Buffalo Trace, us meeting him was “meant to be.” Hearing his story validated our decision to follow our dreams of traveling and tasting the world.

Buffalo Trace Distillery is located at 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, KY 40601, United States.

Lunch in Frankfort

Since man cannot live on bourbon and chocolate alone, you should follow your distillery tour with lunch at one of the many restaurants near Buffalo Trace Distillery. If you like unique American sandwiches , be sure to order a Kentucky Hot Brown which is exactly what we did after our tour.

Schedule a Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

Buffalo Trace tours are complimentary but must be reserved in advance.

We took the Hard Hat tour which we highly recommend. You can make free reservations but, as noted, you must book it in advance. If this free tour isn’t available, consider booking the Trace tour, the Old Taylor tour, the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Tour or the National Historic Landmark Tour.

All tours include bourbon tastings. Hooray!

And, if you have extra time, be sure to check out the best places to drink in Louisville which is just a one-hour drive from the Buffalo Trace Distillery.

Buffalo Trace Planning Checklist

• Buy discounted travel insurance from Heymondo .
• Find a great Frankfort hotel via Expedia or Hotels.com .
• Find an apartment in Frankfort with a kitchen .
• Buy a  universal travel adaptor  from Amazon so you can charge your laptop, cell phone and camera the USA.
• Buy a copy of Kentucky Bourbon Country: The Essential Travel Guide from Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Buffalo Trace distillery is located at 113 Great Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, Kentucky.

No. Buffalo Trace is not on the Bourbon Trail. This is because the distillery is not part of the Kentucky Distillers Association.

Buffalo Trace distillery tours are free.

Buffalo Traces offers seven different tours of its distillery. Check each tour’s details to confirm its length.

You can make reservations via the Buffalo Trace website.

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THE TRACE TOUR

About the tour.

This 4 hour experience is offered as a package tour with Buffalo Trace Distillery. Have you had trouble getting a tour booked at Buffalo Trace? Well, this experience is a tour on the Kentucky River and a tour of Buffalo Trace Distillery. This tour operates on Mondays and starts with a tour at the historic and famous Buffalo Trace Distillery. Home to some of the finest bourbon produced, you will learn and see how bourbon is made, aged and bottled.

After your distillery tour and time in the gift shop, you will head to the river that built bourbon, the Kentucky River, where you will enjoy a 1.5-hour river cruise. During your time on the water we will complete the story of bourbon that was began at the distillery and enjoy some great sites along the way.

Reservations are REQUIRED!

Available Monday

Cost $59.95 per person

The Frankfort Boat Club Head Boat 101 Riverboat Landing Frankfort Kentucky 40601

(502) 219-3318

[email protected]

TOURS OFFERED

• Bourbon Themed Tour
• Historic River Tours
• Kentucky River Tour 
• Bourbon Tour
• River Boat Tours
• Buffalo Trace Tours
• Bourbon Trail Tours
• Bourbon Distillery Tour

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Buffalo Trace Distillery has a history that's comprised of more than 200 years of legendary crafting, with many artisans behind its brand. It also holds the title of being the best bourbon stop in the entire world, which is a lofty reputation to uphold. To say that it, and its team, have done so in an exemplary fashion would only be conveying half of it - the bourbon whiskey speaks for itself, and many are converted to fans after their first visit.

Related: 10 Restaurants That Serve The Best Craft Beer On The American East Coast

Speaking of which, any fan of the distillery will tell a newcomer that the best way to see the entire operation is through a tour. Buffalo Trace offers many, but those interested in the process of making this iconic bourbon whiskey are those that show off the best of barrel-aging. Ready to take a historic step back in time? This is what guests to the Buffalo Trace Distillery can expect on a trip to Frankfort, Kentucky , to try the world's finest spirits.

The Trace Tour

First up is the Trace Tour, which will take guests through the distillery while guides detail the history of the distilling process . It's the best way to introduce newcomers to one of Kentucky's most notable destinations, and show them what the process behind making bourbon whiskey is really like.

Bourbon barrels will be rolled across your path while you listen to the history of Buffalo Trace, along with the stories of those who helped the dream come to life. If you're lucky, you might even hear a Prohibition-era story or two.

• Tour length: 1 hour, 15 minutes
• What's included: Depending on the tour, walkthrough or a walkthrough & a tasting.
• Cost: Free.

Bourbon Barrel Tour

One of the most fascinating and exciting parts of visiting any distillery is having the chance to see spirits during the aging process. The Bourbon Barrel Tour provides guests with this chance as well as a full warehouse walkthrough.

Along the way, guides will educate tour-takers about the process of crafting these artisan spirits, including details about the barrels used, the history behind them, and even what happens to every barrel post-aging process. This tour is for guests over the age of 12 due to safety reasons and will be enjoyed by anyone who's ever been curious about how such a legendary distillery ensures every bottle is perfect.

• Tour length: 1 hour, 30 minutes
• What's included: A warehouse walkthrough and a tasting.

The Ultimate: Taste Of The Trace

This tour is the big kahuna: not only will guests have the chance to hear the history of Buffalo Trace, but they'll also be able to taste samples of award-winning spirits the entire time.

If this is the part you've been waiting for, then you won't be disappointed; a choice of six different spirits and libations are available to choose from during this tour. Guides will discuss how the distillery ' honors tradition ' and 'embraces change,' all while detailing some of its most beloved offerings.

• Tour length: 45 minutes
• What's included:
• Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Eagle Rare Bourbon Whiskey
• Wheatley Vodka
• Buffalo Trace Distillery Bourbon Cream
• Rebecca Ruth Bourbon Ball (made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon)
• Freddie’s Root Beer

Other Tours That Are Worth Checking Out

The great thing about Buffalo Trace is that since it's spread out over a large area, tours of multiple sections of the distillery are available, along with themed tours. Another favorite is the Botanical Gardens Tour, which takes guests out to the Albert B. Blanton Botanical Gardens and Bird Sanctuary, and includes a tasting. This tour is offered on Fridays and offers a bit of regional history along with distillery history, making it so much more than just a walk around the grounds.

The Expansion Tour, Old Taylor Tour, National Historic Landmark Tour, and Hard Hat Tours are all great ways to see additional parts of the distillery. They each include a bit of history related to the creation of the distillery itself as well as the creation of its world-famous bourbon whiskey, with tastings included. Each one explores a unique building and its purpose in the distilling process, many of which have been kept and maintained as they originally were over a century ago.

A Landmark That's Worth Exploring

Kentucky and its bourbon whiskey are so ingrained into the culture of the state, making it an iconic part of any visit. Buffalo Trace will continue to be world-renowned as one of the best producers in the world, and it definitely should not be missed. And if none of these tours gets your attention, there's always the Buffalo Trace Ghost Tour!

Next: New York State Is Home To Some Of The Best Craft Breweries In The Country

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Buffalo Trace Daily

Predicting what the distillery gift shop will be selling tomorrow

Everything You Need to Know About Booking An April Tour At The Buffalo Trace Distillery

  days

  hours   minutes   seconds

April Tour Dates Become Available

Step 1) Pick a reservation date

The Buffalo Trace reservation calendar will open on Tuesday, March 7th at 9:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time) for tours taking place in April. You may book your reservation date online at reservations.buffalotracedistillery.com , but availability goes quick!

Once you click on a date, you will be prompted to select the type of tour you wish to join. Not all tours are available every day so you may have to browse different dates to find a specific tour.

Below are the choices to select from.

Bourbon Barrel TOUR

• A start-to-finish tour of the barrel process throughout the Distillery.
• For safety purposes, this tour is not available for guests under 12 years old.
• This tour route is not ADA-accessible.
• All tours are complimentary and include a 15-minute tasting.
• Note that no allocated bottle released that day is held for you.
• Reservations are require

Expansion Tour (Limited Availability)

• A hard hat tour of the Distillery’s expansion to ferment, distill and bottle their whiskies.
• For safety purposes, this tour is not available for guests under 12 years old. This tour route is not ADA-accessible.
• Reservations are required.

Old Taylor Tour

• Tour of the Old Taylor House, the OFC Building, OFC Fermenter #7 nicknamed “Old Taylor”, and Warehouse C.
• The tour route includes stairs and there is a lot of walking involved so comfortable shoes are recommended.
• Those with acrophobia and/or fear of walking across metal grates may want to seek a different tour.
• Tour the different stages of the bourbon-making process and get the history of the Distillery.
• Visitors of all ages are welcome to join us for this tour.
• Please be prepared for a significant amount of walking so comfortable shoes are recommended.
• The Trace Tour is open to all ages and is ADA-accessible.

Step 2) Enter your reservation Information

Next, you will need to enter the following information to continue with the booking process.

• Number of Guests over 21
• Number of Guests under 21
• How did you hear about us?

Step 3) Special Requests

They will then ask for any special requests regarding ADA (the Americans with Disabilities Act) or if it is for a special occasion.

Step 4) Review Your Order and Confirm

You will receive a bar code like the one shown below with an order confirmation number once you have finished and confirmed the reservation. Past guests have noted that these can be transferred to other parties without notifying the Distillery and are just scanned at the beginning of the tour.

We hope you found this informative and enjoy your tour!

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2 thoughts on “ everything you need to know about booking an april tour at the buffalo trace distillery ”.

Tried like everything to book a tour and website crashed truly disappointed with Buffalo Trace and the way they handle their tours. Was trying to get son-in-law who is active military to get in to see what I have seen but after trying for 45 minutes they pulled the sight down when it came back up everything was full.

Same thing happened to me and only in town for a couple days. Devastating.

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After tasting over 100 bourbons, our expert's top pick is a cheaper dupe for pappy van winkle.

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I am obsessed with bourbon. I was assigned an article about the brown elixir and dived in head first: traveling to Kentucky, touring distilleries large and small, tasting more than 100 bourbons, and talking to every master distiller, whiskey judge, and bartender I could.

While it didn't earn a spot in our best bourbon guide because we only recommended widely available bottles, Weller Special Reserve is my personal favorite bourbon. This wheated bourbon is affordable, has balanced flavors, and is proofed low enough for sipping and to appeal to beginners. Let's look at why Weller is tops.

Blind taste testing Weller

To determine my favorite bourbon, I asked my wife to administer a blind taste test featuring four highly regarded 90-proof bourbons: 

• Russell's Reserve 10-Year , the top overall pick in our best bourbon guide
• Eagle Rare , my favorite bourbon from my trip on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
• Weller Special Reserve , a bourbon that uses the same recipe as Pappy Van Winkle
• Buffalo Trace store pick, from a single barrel of Buffalo Trace bourbon hand-selected by a local liquor store

While all four bourbons tasted excellent, the Weller Special Reserve came out on top. It has a sweet nose, featuring notes of caramel and cherry. The palate offers a perfect balance of sweetness and spiciness. I tasted caramel and honey with hints of oak and butterscotch. The finish was pleasantly long and smooth. In my tasting, the complexity and balance were what set Weller apart from the contenders.

Weller Special Reserve versus Pappy Van Winkle

Pappy Van Winkle is one of the most sought-after bourbons in the world. It regularly sells for more than 10 times its retail price. I've tried a couple of Pappy bourbons and strongly recommend picking up a bottle if you find it at a decent price. 

If you can't find Pappy, consider Weller Special Reserve instead. It's made by the same distillery, Buffalo Trace , and uses the same recipe. Freddie Johnson, a popular Buffalo Trace tour guide featured prominently in " Neat: The Story of Bourbon ," told me that everything is the same between the two bourbons. The only differences are "where we age it in the warehouse and how long we leave it there," he said. Pappy bourbons are aged at least 10 years, but Buffalo Trace won't disclose how long it ages Weller Special Reserve.

Fred Minnick, the author of " Bourbon Curious ," also acknowledges the similarities between the two bourbons but notes that Weller hasn't had the time to develop the complexity of Pappy. 

If you can't get your hands on Pappy, try Weller and these other Pappy alternatives .

Where to buy Weller Special Reserve

Buffalo Trace Distillery is having a moment right now. Most of its bourbons are "allocated," meaning bars and stores can only get a limited number of bottles. Consequently, they sell out quickly at retail and garner high prices on the secondary market.

Weller Special Reserve retails for $25, but I've never seen it for sale at that price in Michigan, where I live. Instead, I had a friend pick it up when he was in Ohio, where you can track availability . He got it for the MSRP, but had to ask employees to find it. As is common with rare Buffalo Trace offerings, it was kept behind the counter or in the back of the store.

If your local liquor store doesn't carry Weller, you might be able to get it delivered to your area using an online retailer . However, expect to pay more than retail.

The best Weller bourbons

There are seven Weller bourbons:

• Special Reserve
• Antique 107
• Single Barrel  
• William Larue Weller

The bourbons vary based on proof and how long they were aged. Visit the Buffalo Trace website to learn about the specific differences.

Special Reserve is the easiest Weller to find. Some of the expressions may cost you more than $1,000 on the secondary market. The only other Weller I've tried is the 12 Year. I found it tasted great, but I'll take the Special Reserve for my money. I look forward to trying other Wellers down the road. I just need to figure out where to find them at a reasonable price.

If you find any Weller in a liquor store at retail, I highly recommend giving it a try. Weller Special Reserve punches well above its price tag and is comparable to high-end options like Old Rip Van Winkle 10-Year . After tasting more than 100 bourbons, it's my personal top pick

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