Buffalo Trace Distillery facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Buffalo Trace Distillery
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Buffalo Trace Distillery water tower
Location	Frankfort, Kentucky
Built	1792
Architect	Oberwarth, Leo L.; Blanton, Albert Bacon
Architectural style	Romanesque, Colonial Revival
NRHP reference No.	01000450
Added to NRHP	May 2, 2001

The Buffalo Trace Distillery is a famous place in Frankfort, Kentucky, where they make a special kind of American whiskey called bourbon. It is owned by the Sazerac Company. This distillery has had different names over the years, like the George T. Stagg Distillery. The company says it is the oldest distillery in the United States that has been working without stopping. The name "Buffalo Trace" comes from an old path that buffalo used to follow near the Kentucky River. The Sazerac Company bought the distillery in 1992.

This historic site was recognized as a special place on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. Later, in 2013, it was named a National Historic Landmark.

History of the Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery grounds and guest house

The Buffalo Trace Distillery says it is the oldest distillery in the United States that has been working continuously. Another distillery, now known for Maker's Mark, also has a very long history, starting in 1805. It is even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest operating bourbon distillery.

Early Beginnings

Records show that people started making spirits on this land way back in 1775. This was done by Hancock Lee and his brother Willis Lee. The very first distillery building was put up in 1812 by Harrison Blanton.

In 1870, Edmund H. Taylor bought the distillery. He gave it its first official name: the Old Fire Copper (O.F.C.) Distillery. Eight years later, Taylor sold it to George T. Stagg. Stagg later added more land to the O.F.C. Distillery.

New Ideas and Growth

A big step forward happened in 1886. George T. Stagg added steam heating to the storage buildings. This was the first time a warehouse for aging whiskey had its temperature controlled in the entire country!

During a time called Prohibition, when making and selling alcohol was mostly against the law, the Buffalo Trace Distillery was allowed to keep working. This was because they made whiskey for "medicinal purposes," meaning for health reasons.

The master distiller's residence

In 1972, Gary Gayheart became the master distiller, who is in charge of making the whiskey. He retired in 2005, and Harlen Wheatley took over his role.

In 2016, the Buffalo Trace Distillery announced big plans. They decided to spend $200 million to make their operations even larger.

Discoveries from the Past

In October 2016, something exciting was found during renovations. Workers were changing a building into a space for meetings and events. They discovered the old foundation of the original distillery building from 1873! This building had burned down in 1882. They also found parts of the old fermenters from the same year. After the fire, a bigger distillery was built on top of the old foundation. Now, visitors to Buffalo Trace can see this historic discovery.

How They Make Spirits

Buffalo Trace Distillery Barrel Aging Warehouse (inside)

The Buffalo Trace Distillery can make a lot of whiskey each year. They produce about 2,650,000 gallons (about 10 million liters) of whiskey annually. This is done using a large still that can hold 60,000 gallons (about 227,000 liters).

Spirits Made Here

Buffalo Trace bourbon whiskey

While Buffalo Trace Distillery is most famous for its bourbon, they also make other types of spirits. These include rye whiskey and even vodka.

The "Buffalo Trace" bourbon brand was first introduced in August 1999. This was just two months after the distillery changed its name from the George T. Stagg Distillery.

Here are some of the spirits produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery:

• Self-produced brands:
  • Buffalo Trace – This is their main bourbon brand. They also use this name for special collections and a cream liqueur.
  • Col. E. H. Taylor – This includes different kinds of bourbon and rye whiskey.
  • Eagle Rare – A straight bourbon, also available in a very old 17-year version.
  • George T. Stagg – A strong, barrel-proof bourbon. The distillery used to be named after him.
  • Stagg Jr. – Another barrel-proof straight bourbon.
  • McAfee's Benchmark – A straight bourbon.
  • O.F.C. – A straight bourbon, named after the distillery's old name.
  • Old Charter – A straight bourbon.
  • Old Charter Oak – A straight bourbon.
  • Old Taylor – A straight bourbon.
  • Sazerac – This includes straight rye whiskey.
  • Thomas H. Handy – A strong, barrel-proof straight rye whiskey.
  • W. L. Weller – Different types of straight bourbon, known for using wheat in their recipe.
  • Wheatley Vodka – Their own brand of vodka.

• Brands made with partners:
  • Ancient Age – A straight bourbon.
  • Blanton's single-barrel – A special single-barrel straight bourbon.
  • Hancock's President's Reserve – Another single-barrel straight bourbon.
  • Elmer T. Lee – A single-barrel straight bourbon.
  • Rock Hill Farms – A single-barrel straight bourbon.

• Brands made with the Van Winkle family:
  • Old Rip Van Winkle – A straight bourbon that uses wheat.
  • Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve – A very famous straight bourbon that uses wheat.
  • Van Winkle Special Reserve – A straight bourbon that uses wheat.
  • Van Winkle Family Reserve – A straight rye whiskey.

Buffalo Trace also makes spirits for other companies and for store brands.