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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox NRHP | name =Buffalo Trace Distillery
{{Infobox NRHP
| nrhp_type =
| name = George T. Stagg Distillery
| image = Buffalo trace distillery.jpg
| nrhp_type = nhl
| caption = Buffalo Trace Distillery with its filtered water reservoir and distillation pipes.
| image = Buffalo Trace Tower.jpg
| location= [[Frankfort, Kentucky]]
| caption = Buffalo Trace Distillery water tower
| area =
| location = [[Frankfort, Kentucky]]
| built =1920
| locmapin = Kentucky#USA
| architect= Oberwarth, Leo L.; Blanton, Albert Bacon
| coordinates = {{Coord|38|13|03|N|84|52|10|W|region:US-KY_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| architecture= Romanesque, Colonial Revival
| added = May 2, 2001
| area =
| built = 1805
| governing_body = Private
| architect = Oberwarth, Leo L.; Blanton, Albert Bacon
| refnum=01000450
| architecture = Romanesque, Colonial Revival
<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}{{Dead link|date = January 2011}}</ref>
| added = May 2, 2001
| refnum = 01000450
<ref name="nris">{{Cite web |title=NPGallery Digital Asset Management System |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/01000450}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''Buffalo Trace Distillery''' is a [[distillery]] in [[Frankfort, Kentucky]], United States, owned by the [[Sazerac Company]].<ref name=Jaye>{{cite web |url=http://www.ellenjaye.com/buffalotrace.htm |title=The Buffalo Trace Distilling Company |access-date=September 23, 2007<!-- 12:34 a.m. --> |year=2001 |publisher=ellenjaye.com |archive-date=October 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014222116/http://www.ellenjaye.com/buffalotrace.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> It has historically been known by several names, including the George T. Stagg Distillery and the Old Fire Copper (O.F.C.) Distillery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maltadvocate.com/classics-bourbon-buffalo.asp |title=Bourbon Company, Bourbon Man Buffalo Trace Distillery & Mark Brown |access-date=December 5, 2007 |author=Lew Bryson |work=Malt Advocate |publisher=Malt Advocate, Inc. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120111607/http://www.maltadvocate.com/classics-bourbon-buffalo.asp |archive-date=January 20, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BourbonEnthusiast.com • View topic - 1872 at the OFC Distillery |url=https://www.bourbonenthusiast.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1231 |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=www.bourbonenthusiast.com}}</ref> Its namesake bourbon brand, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight [[Bourbon whiskey]], was introduced in August 1999. The name "[[Vincennes Trace|Buffalo Trace]]" refers to the ancient [[American bison|buffalo]] trackway that crosses the [[Kentucky River]] in [[Franklin County, Kentucky]]. The Sazerac Company purchased the distillery in 1992.<ref name=Jaye/>
'''Buffalo Trace Distillery''' is a [[distillery]] located in [[Frankfort, Kentucky]]. It has historically been known by several names, including most notably, the George T. Stagg Distillery and the O.F.C. Distillery.<ref>
{{cite web |url=http://www.maltadvocate.com/classics-bourbon-buffalo.asp
|title= Bourbon Company, Bourbon Man Buffalo Trace Distillery & Mark Brown
|accessdate=2007-12-05
|author=Lew Bryson
|date=
|work=Malt Advocate
|publisher=Malt Advocate, Inc. |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080120111607/http://www.maltadvocate.com/classics-bourbon-buffalo.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-01-20}}</ref> Its namesake bourbon brand, ''Buffalo Trace'' Kentucky Straight [[Bourbon whiskey]], was introduced in August 1999. The Buffalo Trace Distillery stands as the oldest (not necessarily continuously-operating) distilling site in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.internetwines.com/buffalotrace.html |title= Buffalo Trace Distillery |accessdate = 2007-09-23<!-- 12:34 a.m. -->|year= 2007 |publisher= Internet Wines}}</ref>{{Verify credibility|date=January 2011}} Located on what the company claims was once an ancient [[American bison|buffalo]] crossing on the banks of the [[Kentucky River]] in [[Franklin County, Kentucky|Franklin County]], the distillery is named after the [[American bison]] that created paths followed by America's early [[American pioneer|pioneers]]. The [[Sazerac Company]], a [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]-based producer and importer, purchased the distillery in 1992 and is now the parent company of Buffalo Trace Distillery.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ellenjaye.com/buffalotrace.htm |title= The Buffalo Trace Distilling Company |accessdate = 2007-09-23<!-- 12:34 a.m. -->|year= 2001 |publisher= ellenjaye.com}}</ref>


Under its old name, '''George T. Stagg Distillery''', the property was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on May 2, 2001, and designated a [[National Historic Landmark]] on March 11, 2013.<ref name="nris"/><ref name="NHL">{{cite web |url=http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/americas-great-outdoors-secretary-salazar-director-jarvis-designate-13-new-national-historic-landmarks.cfm |title=Secretary Salazar, Director Jarvis Designate 13 New National Historic Landmarks |date=March 11, 2013 |access-date=March 14, 2013 |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211174312/https://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/americas-great-outdoors-secretary-salazar-director-jarvis-designate-13-new-national-historic-landmarks |url-status=live }}</ref>
The distillery is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] under its old name, George T. Stagg Distillery.<ref name="nris"/>

The Buffalo Trace Distillery is home to the world's smallest [[Bonded warehouse|bonded]] storage warehouse, Warehouse V. This warehouse only stores a single barrel of whiskey at a time.


==History==
==History==
[[File:Buffalo trace distillery grounds.jpg|thumb|Grounds and guest house]]
Records indicate that distilling started on the site that is now the Buffalo Trace Distillery sometime before 1773 by Hancock Lee, who died in 1776.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}} The oldest building on the site, the Riverside house, was constructed in 1792 by Commodore Richard Taylor and is still standing today. The first true distillery was constructed in 1812 by Harrison Blanton. In 1870 the distillery was purchased by Edmund H. Taylor and given its first name, the O.F.C. Distillery. Taylor sold the distillery eight years later to [[George T. Stagg]] along with the [[Woodford Reserve|Old Oscar Pepper Distillery]]. This second distillery was sold within the year to [[James Graham]]{{dn|date=May 2012}} in order to add more land to the O.F.C. Distillery. In 1886, Stagg installed steam heating in the storage warehouses, the first climate controlled warehouse for aging whiskey in the nation.<ref>
The company claims the distillery to be the oldest continuously operating distillery in the United States.<ref name=official>{{Official website| http://buffalotrace.com/distillery.html}}</ref> Another distillery with similar historical extent is Burks' distillery, now used for production of [[Maker's Mark]]. According to its citation in the registry of [[National Historic Landmark]]s, Burks' Distillery's origins extend to 1805,<ref>[http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1439&ResourceType=District Burks' Distillery] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040346/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1439&ResourceType=District |date=November 7, 2012 }}, National Historic Landmarks, U.S. National Park Service.</ref> and Burks' Distillery is listed in the ''[[Guinness Book of World Records]]'' as the oldest operating bourbon distillery.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oldest operating bourbon distillery |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/oldest-operating-bourbon-distillery/ |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=Guinness World Records |date=April 3, 2001 |language=en-gb |archive-date=December 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231172725/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/oldest-operating-bourbon-distillery/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Oldest Operating Bourbon Whisky Distillery, Makers Mark, Loretto, Kentucky - Guinness World Records on Waymarking.com |url=https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM6M9H_Oldest_Operating_Bourbon_Whisky_Distillery_Makers_Mark_Loretto_Kentucky |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=www.waymarking.com |archive-date=December 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231172725/https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM6M9H_Oldest_Operating_Bourbon_Whisky_Distillery_Makers_Mark_Loretto_Kentucky |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Cite web
| last =
| first =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
| page = 33
| publisher = [[National Park Service]]
| date = March 13, 2001
| url = http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/01000450.pdf
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = January 31, 2011}}
</ref>


Records indicate that distilling started on the site that is now the Buffalo Trace Distillery in 1775 by Hancock Lee and his brother Willis Lee who died in 1776.<ref>Reigler, S (2013) Kentucky Bourbon Country: The Essential Travel Guide, University Press of Kentucky</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-27 |title=SMWS Distillery Codes &#124; Uisge Beatha |url=https://uisgebeatha.co.uk/smws-distillery-codes/ |access-date=2022-12-31 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The first distillery was constructed in 1812 by Harrison Blanton.<ref>Klebe, J., E. (2015) The Kentucky Encyclopedia, University Press of Kentucky</ref> In 1870 the distillery was purchased by Edmund H. Taylor and given its first name, the Old Fire Copper (O.F.C.) Distillery.<ref name=Jaye/> Taylor sold the distillery eight years later to George T. Stagg along with the [[Woodford Reserve|Old Oscar Pepper Distillery]]. This second distillery was sold within the year to James Graham, in order to add more land to the O.F.C. Distillery. In 1886, Stagg installed steam heating in the storage warehouses, the first climate controlled warehouse for aging whiskey in the nation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form |page=33 |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |date=March 13, 2001 |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/01000450_text |access-date=January 31, 2011 |archive-date=April 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414073322/https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/01000450_text |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1972 Gary Gayheart became the master distiller. After his retirement in 2005, he was succeeded by Harlen Wheatley.


During [[Prohibition in the United States|Prohibition]], the distillery was allowed to remain operational, in order to make whiskey for "medicinal purposes".<ref name=official/>
In 2009 and 2010, the [http://www.nunncenter.org/buffalotrace Buffalo Trace Oral History Project] was conducted by the [[Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History]], University of Kentucky Libraries.

[[File:Buffalo Trace residence.jpg|thumb|The master distiller's residence]]
Gary Gayheart became the master distiller in 1972, until his retirement in 2005. He was succeeded by Harlen Wheatley.

In 2016, Buffalo Trace Distillery announced plans to expand operations with a capital investment of $200 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stateways.com/2016/05/23/buffalo-trace-distillery-expands-with-200m-investment |title=Buffalo Trace Distillery Expands With $200M Investment |date=May 23, 2016 |publisher=Stateways |access-date=May 25, 2016 |archive-date=May 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524203908/http://stateways.com/2016/05/23/buffalo-trace-distillery-expands-with-200m-investment/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2016, during renovations to convert a building to a meeting and event space, workers discovered the foundation of the original 1873 distillery building, which burned down in 1882, along with the remains of fermenters from that same year. The original distillery foundation was left in place after the fire and an expanded distillery building was built as a replacement. The site is now open for visitors to Buffalo Trace.<ref>{{cite web |title=Buffalo Trace Distillery unearths foundation from 1873 distillery |url=https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/sites/default/files/Buffalo%20Trace%20Uncovers%20Foundation%20from%20Taylor%20era%20Final%2010-18-16.pdf |website=Buffalo Trace Distillery |access-date=May 3, 2018 |archive-date=May 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503113004/https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/sites/default/files/Buffalo%20Trace%20Uncovers%20Foundation%20from%20Taylor%20era%20Final%2010-18-16.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In March 2022, Buffalo Trace Distillery announced the creation of six-litre OFC Vintage Bourbon Whiskeys, distilled in 1982, and their accompanying NFTs. The NFTs were sold on Blockbar, with the highest bid of $60,000. The sale was part of the distillery's mission to raise US$2 million for charity by donating 2,022 bottles of whiskey to fundraising causes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2022/03/buffalo-trace-nfts-raise-280000-for-charity/ |title=Buffalo Trace NFTS raise $280,000 for charity |date=March 22, 2022 |access-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901031635/https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2022/03/buffalo-trace-nfts-raise-280000-for-charity/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Production ==
[[File:Buffalo Trace Distillery Barrel Aging Warehouse (inside).jpg|thumb|Aging warehouse]]
Production capacity at Buffalo Trace is estimated at {{convert|2,650,000|gal|L}} of whiskey per year. This is carried out at a beer still with a capacity of {{convert|60,000|gal|L}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.whisky.com/whisky-database/distilleries/details/fdb/Distilleries/Details//buffalo-trace.html |title=Buffalo Trace |date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402153558/http://www.whisky.com/whisky-database/distilleries/details/fdb/Distilleries/Details//buffalo-trace.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref>


== Spirits ==
== Spirits ==
[[File:Buffalo Trace.JPG#file|thumb|upright|Buffalo Trace bourbon whiskey]]
{{See also|List of bourbon brands}}
{{See also|List of bourbon brands}}
[[File:Buffalo Trace.JPG#file|thumb|upright|Buffalo Trace bourbon]]
While Buffalo Trace Distillery is mainly known for its bourbon, it also produces other spirits such as [[rye whiskey]] and [[vodka]]. "Buffalo Trace" is a bourbon brand made by the Distillery. It was introduced in August 1999, two months after the distillery changed its name from the [[George T. Stagg]] Distillery. Buffalo Trace is made from corn, rye, and barley malt, and aged in charred oak barrels. Approximately 25–30 barrels are selected and mixed before bottling. It has won some awards since its introduction.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.buffalotrace.com/main.asp?page=distillery_awards | title = Critical Acclaim | accessdate = 2010-05-17 | publisher = Buffalo Trace Distillery}}</ref>
While Buffalo Trace Distillery is mainly known for its bourbon, it also produces other spirits such as [[rye whiskey]] and [[vodka]].


"Buffalo Trace" is also a bourbon brand made by the distillery that was introduced in August 1999, two months after the distillery changed its name from the [[George T. Stagg]] Distillery.
The following spirits are produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.greatbourbon.com/ | title = Great Bourbon | accessdate = 2010-05-17 | publisher = Buffalo Trace Distillery}}</ref>


The following spirits are produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greatbourbon.com/ |title=Great Bourbon |access-date=May 17, 2010 |publisher=Buffalo Trace Distillery |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329115750/http://www.greatbourbon.com/ |archive-date=March 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/ |title=Buffalo Trace distillery official website |access-date=March 15, 2018 |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901031643/https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 85%; text-align: left;"
*Self-produced brands
|+ List of Buffalo Trace Brands
**Buffalo Trace – [[Straight whiskey|straight]] bourbon (the namesake brand for the distillery, also used for branding of an Experimental Collection, Single Oak Project, White Dog (unaged spirit with mash bills for bourbon, wheated bourbon, and rye), and Bourbon Cream (a cream [[liqueur]])
|-
**[[Col. E. H. Taylor]] – small batch, single-barrel, and barrel proof straight bourbon and rye
! abbr="Label" | Label
**[[Eagle Rare]] – straight bourbon and 17 year antique collection
! abbr="Type" | Type of Spirit
**[[George T. Stagg]] – [[barrel-proof]] straight bourbon (from a prior name for the distillery)
! abbr="Style" | Style Notes
**Stagg Jr. &ndash; barrel proof straight bourbon
! abbr="Distrib" | Distributor
**[[McAfee's Benchmark]] – straight bourbon
|-
**O.F.C. – straight bourbon (from a prior name for the distillery)
![[Ancient Age]]
**[[Old Charter]] – straight bourbon
|Kentucky Straight Bourbon
**[[Old Taylor]] – straight bourbon
|
**[[Peychaud's Bitters]]
|Ancient Age Distillery
**Platinum 7X/Platinum 10X – vodka
|-
**[[Sazerac Company|Sazerac]] – straight rye and Sazerac antique collection
![[Blanton's]]
**[[Thomas H. Handy]] – [[barrel-proof]] straight rye
|Single Barrel Bourbon
**[[W. L. Weller]] – special reserve, antique 107, Full Proof, 12 Year, Single Barrel, C.Y.P.B. (Craft Your Perfect Bourbon), and barrel proof William Larue Weller antique collection straight bourbon (with a wheated [[mash bill]] very similar or identical to that for the Van Winkle brands<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oldripvanwinkle.com/heritage/ |title=Heritage – Old Rip Van Winkle |access-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901031647/https://www.oldripvanwinkle.com/heritage/ |url-status=live }}</ref>)
|
**Wheatley – vodka
|Blanton Distilling
**Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat – a biennial experimental release crafted from a variety of wheat strains.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Friedmann |first=Christopher |date=2023-07-06 |title=Buffalo Trace's New Bourbon Made From Ancient Egyptian Grain |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/buffalo-trace-daniel-weller-emmer-wheat |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Men's Journal |language=en}}</ref>
|-
*Brands produced in partnership with Age International (a former owner of the distillery, now part of the Japanese company [[Takara Holdings]]):<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2013/12/it-was-best-of-times-it-was-worst-of.html |title=The Chuck Cowdery Blog: It Was The Best Of Times, It Was The Worst Of Times |first=Chuck |last=Cowdery |date=December 9, 2013 |access-date=December 14, 2017 |archive-date=September 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901031646/http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2013/12/it-was-best-of-times-it-was-worst-of.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
!Buffalo Trace
**[[Ancient Age (bourbon)|Ancient Age]] – straight bourbon
|Kentucky Straight Bourbon
**[[Blanton's]] [[single-barrel]] – straight bourbon
|
**[[Hancock's President's Reserve]] – single-barrel straight bourbon
|Buffalo Trace Distillery
**[[Elmer T. Lee]] – single-barrel straight bourbon
|-
**[[Rock Hill Farms]] – single-barrel straight bourbon
![[Eagle Rare]]
*Brands produced in partnership with the Van Winkle family (under an agreement established in June 2002):<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.oldripvanwinkle.com/newbs/vw/website3.nsf/pagesbyname/home?opendocument |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115180500/http://www.oldripvanwinkle.com/newbs/vw/website3.nsf/pagesbyname/home?opendocument |url-status=dead |title=Official site for Old Rip Van Winkle |archive-date=January 15, 2011}}</ref>
|Single Barrel Bourbon
**[[Old Rip Van Winkle]] – straight bourbon (wheated)
|
**[[Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve]] – straight bourbon (wheated)
|Old Prentice Company
**Van Winkle Special Reserve – straight bourbon (wheated)
|-
**Van Winkle Family Reserve – straight rye
!Elmer T. Lee
|Single Barrel Bourbon
|
|Buffalo Trace Distillery
|-
![[George T. Stagg]]
|Kentucky Straight Bourbon
|Barrel proof
|Buffalo Trace Distillery
|-
![[Hancock's President's Reserve]]
|Kentucky Straight Bourbon
|
|Buffalo Trace Distillery
|-
![[Old Charter]]
|Kentucky Straight Bourbon
|
|Old Charter Distillery
|-
![[McAfee's Benchmark]]
|Kentucky Straight Bourbon
|
|
|-
![[Rock_Hill_Farms_Single-Barrel|Rock Hill Farms]]
|Single Barrel Bourbon
|
|Rock Hill Farms
|-
![[Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve|Van Winkle]]
|Wheated Bourbon
|
|Old Rip Van Winkle
|-
![[William Larue Weller|W.L. Weller]]
|Wheated Bourbon
|
|W. L. Weller and Sons
|-
!Rain
|Vodka
|100% organic white corn
|Buffalo Trace Distillery
|-
![[Sazerac]]
|Rye Whiskey
|
|Buffalo Trace Distillery
|-
!Thomas H. Handy
|Rye Whiskey
|Barrel proof
|Buffalo Trace Distillery
|-
|}


Buffalo Trace also produces spirits for [[Independent bottler|private bottlers]] and [[store brand]]s.
Some bourbons produced at the distillery have performed well in international [[spirit ratings]] competitions. Buffalo Trace bourbon received a Double Gold Rating at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2012.<ref>http://www.proof66.com/whiskey/buffalo-trace-bourbon.html</ref> Eagle Rare received a Gold medal in the 2010 competition <ref>http://www.sfspiritscomp.com/pdfs/2010SpiritsResultsbyBrand.pdf</ref> Van Winkle The 12 Year Old Special Reserve was recognized with the "Trophy for Worldwide Whisky" and a Best-In-Class Gold Medallion in the International Wine and Spirit Competition for 2008.<ref>http://www.sfspiritscomp.com/pdfs/SpiritsMedal08.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.oldripvanwinkle.com/newbs/vw/website3.nsf/pagesbyname/home?opendocument</ref>


== Notes ==
== See also ==
*[[List of historic whisky distilleries]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last=Taylor |first=Richard |title=The Great Crossing: A Historic Journey to Buffalo Trace Distillery |date=2002 |publisher=Buffalo Trace Distillery |location=Frankfort, KY |isbn=0971683719}}
{{Refend}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.buffalotrace.com/ Buffalo Trace Distillery homepage]
{{Commons category|Buffalo Trace Distillery}}
* [http://www.sazerac.com/ The Sazerac Company homepage]
*[http://www.buffalotrace.com/ Buffalo Trace bourbon] official website
*[https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/ Buffalo Trace Distillery] official website
* [http://www.nunncenter.org/buffalotrace/ Buffalo Trace Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries]
*[http://www.sazerac.com/ The Sazerac Company homepage]
*[http://www.360cities.net/image/wharehouse-buffalo-trace-distillery 360° Panorama of Warehouse C, Buffalo Trace Distillery]
*[https://www.eaglerare.com/ Eagle Rare bourbon] official website
*[https://www.wheatleyvodka.com/ Wheatley Vodka] official website
*[https://www.oldcharteroak.com/ Old Charter Oak] official website
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110411045329/http://www.nunncenter.org/buffalotrace/ Buffalo Trace Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries]


{{Sazerac Company}}
{{Alcoholic drinks}}
{{Frankfort, Kentucky}}
{{Frankfort, Kentucky}}
{{Portal bar|Liquor}}

{{Authority control}}
{{coord|38.217506|-84.869702|region:US_type:landmark|display=title}}


[[Category:Bourbon whiskey]]
[[Category:Bourbon whiskey]]
[[Category:Distilleries in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Distilleries on the National Register of Historic Places in Kentucky]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Franklin County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:National Historic Landmarks in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Frankfort, Kentucky]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Frankfort, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Sazerac Company brands]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Romanesque Revival architecture in Kentucky]]

[[Category:Colonial Revival architecture in Kentucky]]
[[fr:Buffalo Trace]]

Latest revision as of 01:05, 1 July 2024

George T. Stagg Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery water tower
Buffalo Trace Distillery is located in Kentucky
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery is located in the United States
Buffalo Trace Distillery
LocationFrankfort, Kentucky
Coordinates38°13′03″N 84°52′10″W / 38.21750°N 84.86944°W / 38.21750; -84.86944
Built1805
ArchitectOberwarth, Leo L.; Blanton, Albert Bacon
Architectural styleRomanesque, Colonial Revival
NRHP reference No.01000450 [1]
Added to NRHPMay 2, 2001

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, United States, owned by the Sazerac Company.[2] It has historically been known by several names, including the George T. Stagg Distillery and the Old Fire Copper (O.F.C.) Distillery.[3][4] Its namesake bourbon brand, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey, was introduced in August 1999. The name "Buffalo Trace" refers to the ancient buffalo trackway that crosses the Kentucky River in Franklin County, Kentucky. The Sazerac Company purchased the distillery in 1992.[2]

Under its old name, George T. Stagg Distillery, the property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 2, 2001, and designated a National Historic Landmark on March 11, 2013.[1][5]

History

[edit]
Grounds and guest house

The company claims the distillery to be the oldest continuously operating distillery in the United States.[6] Another distillery with similar historical extent is Burks' distillery, now used for production of Maker's Mark. According to its citation in the registry of National Historic Landmarks, Burks' Distillery's origins extend to 1805,[7] and Burks' Distillery is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest operating bourbon distillery.[8][9]

Records indicate that distilling started on the site that is now the Buffalo Trace Distillery in 1775 by Hancock Lee and his brother Willis Lee who died in 1776.[10][11] The first distillery was constructed in 1812 by Harrison Blanton.[12] In 1870 the distillery was purchased by Edmund H. Taylor and given its first name, the Old Fire Copper (O.F.C.) Distillery.[2] Taylor sold the distillery eight years later to George T. Stagg along with the Old Oscar Pepper Distillery. This second distillery was sold within the year to James Graham, in order to add more land to the O.F.C. Distillery. In 1886, Stagg installed steam heating in the storage warehouses, the first climate controlled warehouse for aging whiskey in the nation.[13]

During Prohibition, the distillery was allowed to remain operational, in order to make whiskey for "medicinal purposes".[6]

The master distiller's residence

Gary Gayheart became the master distiller in 1972, until his retirement in 2005. He was succeeded by Harlen Wheatley.

In 2016, Buffalo Trace Distillery announced plans to expand operations with a capital investment of $200 million.[14]

In October 2016, during renovations to convert a building to a meeting and event space, workers discovered the foundation of the original 1873 distillery building, which burned down in 1882, along with the remains of fermenters from that same year. The original distillery foundation was left in place after the fire and an expanded distillery building was built as a replacement. The site is now open for visitors to Buffalo Trace.[15]

In March 2022, Buffalo Trace Distillery announced the creation of six-litre OFC Vintage Bourbon Whiskeys, distilled in 1982, and their accompanying NFTs. The NFTs were sold on Blockbar, with the highest bid of $60,000. The sale was part of the distillery's mission to raise US$2 million for charity by donating 2,022 bottles of whiskey to fundraising causes.[16]

Production

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Aging warehouse

Production capacity at Buffalo Trace is estimated at 2,650,000 US gallons (10,000,000 L) of whiskey per year. This is carried out at a beer still with a capacity of 60,000 US gallons (230,000 L).[17]

Spirits

[edit]
See also: List of bourbon brands
Buffalo Trace bourbon

While Buffalo Trace Distillery is mainly known for its bourbon, it also produces other spirits such as rye whiskey and vodka.

"Buffalo Trace" is also a bourbon brand made by the distillery that was introduced in August 1999, two months after the distillery changed its name from the George T. Stagg Distillery.

The following spirits are produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery:[18][19]

  • Self-produced brands
    • Buffalo Trace – straight bourbon (the namesake brand for the distillery, also used for branding of an Experimental Collection, Single Oak Project, White Dog (unaged spirit with mash bills for bourbon, wheated bourbon, and rye), and Bourbon Cream (a cream liqueur)
    • Col. E. H. Taylor – small batch, single-barrel, and barrel proof straight bourbon and rye
    • Eagle Rare – straight bourbon and 17 year antique collection
    • George T. Stagg – barrel-proof straight bourbon (from a prior name for the distillery)
    • Stagg Jr. – barrel proof straight bourbon
    • McAfee's Benchmark – straight bourbon
    • O.F.C. – straight bourbon (from a prior name for the distillery)
    • Old Charter – straight bourbon
    • Old Taylor – straight bourbon
    • Peychaud's Bitters
    • Platinum 7X/Platinum 10X – vodka
    • Sazerac – straight rye and Sazerac antique collection
    • Thomas H. Handy – barrel-proof straight rye
    • W. L. Weller – special reserve, antique 107, Full Proof, 12 Year, Single Barrel, C.Y.P.B. (Craft Your Perfect Bourbon), and barrel proof William Larue Weller antique collection straight bourbon (with a wheated mash bill very similar or identical to that for the Van Winkle brands[20])
    • Wheatley – vodka
    • Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat – a biennial experimental release crafted from a variety of wheat strains.[21]
  • Brands produced in partnership with Age International (a former owner of the distillery, now part of the Japanese company Takara Holdings):[22]
  • Brands produced in partnership with the Van Winkle family (under an agreement established in June 2002):[23]

Buffalo Trace also produces spirits for private bottlers and store brands.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "NPGallery Digital Asset Management System".
  2. ^ a b c "The Buffalo Trace Distilling Company". ellenjaye.com. 2001. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved September 23, 2007.
  3. ^ Lew Bryson. "Bourbon Company, Bourbon Man Buffalo Trace Distillery & Mark Brown". Malt Advocate. Malt Advocate, Inc. Archived from the original on January 20, 2008. Retrieved December 5, 2007.
  4. ^ "BourbonEnthusiast.com • View topic - 1872 at the OFC Distillery". www.bourbonenthusiast.com. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "Secretary Salazar, Director Jarvis Designate 13 New National Historic Landmarks". March 11, 2013. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Official website
  7. ^ Burks' Distillery Archived November 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, National Historic Landmarks, U.S. National Park Service.
  8. ^ "Oldest operating bourbon distillery". Guinness World Records. April 3, 2001. Archived from the original on December 31, 2022. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  9. ^ "Oldest Operating Bourbon Whisky Distillery, Makers Mark, Loretto, Kentucky - Guinness World Records on Waymarking.com". www.waymarking.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2022. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  10. ^ Reigler, S (2013) Kentucky Bourbon Country: The Essential Travel Guide, University Press of Kentucky
  11. ^ "SMWS Distillery Codes | Uisge Beatha". July 27, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  12. ^ Klebe, J., E. (2015) The Kentucky Encyclopedia, University Press of Kentucky
  13. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form". National Park Service. March 13, 2001. p. 33. Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
  14. ^ "Buffalo Trace Distillery Expands With $200M Investment". Stateways. May 23, 2016. Archived from the original on May 24, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  15. ^ "Buffalo Trace Distillery unearths foundation from 1873 distillery" (PDF). Buffalo Trace Distillery. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 3, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  16. ^ "Buffalo Trace NFTS raise $280,000 for charity". March 22, 2022. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  17. ^ "Buffalo Trace". April 2, 2015. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015.
  18. ^ "Great Bourbon". Buffalo Trace Distillery. Archived from the original on March 29, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
  19. ^ "Buffalo Trace distillery official website". Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  20. ^ "Heritage – Old Rip Van Winkle". Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  21. ^ Friedmann, Christopher (July 6, 2023). "Buffalo Trace's New Bourbon Made From Ancient Egyptian Grain". Men's Journal. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  22. ^ Cowdery, Chuck (December 9, 2013). "The Chuck Cowdery Blog: It Was The Best Of Times, It Was The Worst Of Times". Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  23. ^ "Official site for Old Rip Van Winkle". Archived from the original on January 15, 2011.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Taylor, Richard (2002). The Great Crossing: A Historic Journey to Buffalo Trace Distillery. Frankfort, KY: Buffalo Trace Distillery. ISBN 0971683719.
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