Buffalo Trace Distillery

The oldest continuously operating distillery in America sits along the Kentucky River in Frankfort, where whiskey has been made for more than two centuries. Buffalo Trace Distillery claims the title of "most awarded distillery in the world," a bold statement backed by a portfolio that includes some of bourbon's most coveted names.

History & Heritage

The distillery traces its roots back over 200 years, making it one of Kentucky's founding whiskey operations. Located in Frankfort, the facility has weathered Prohibition, economic upheaval, and changing ownership while maintaining continuous production. The same legendary stills and barrel-aging warehouses that housed early American whiskey makers continue to shape spirits today.

The Whiskey

Buffalo Trace produces an extensive range of bourbon and rye expressions, from accessible daily pours to allocated rarities. The lineup includes Buffalo Trace bourbon, Eagle Rare, Blanton's single barrel, W.L. Weller wheated bourbon, and Sazerac Rye. The distillery operates specialized collections like the Antique Collection, Experimental Collection, and Single Oak Project, each exploring different approaches to American whiskey making. Traditional distillation methods combine with innovative aging and blending techniques.

Why It Matters

Buffalo Trace represents the backbone of American whiskey, producing both entry-level expressions that introduce newcomers to bourbon and limited releases that command respect from seasoned collectors. The distillery's combination of historical significance, production scale, and quality consistency makes it essential reading for those who appreciate good whiskey. Their expressions anchor The Sentinel Room's Reserve Whiskey Library because they tell the story of American whiskey from its humble beginnings to its current renaissance.