I Don't Like Bourbon, But I Loved Visiting Buffalo Trace Distillery In Kentucky
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Andrea Limke
Author
I live in Kentucky and I don’t like bourbon. There, I said it. But what you also need to know about me is that I do love Kentucky. The landscape, history, horses, food, the people… the Commonwealth is a wonderful place to live. Since moving to Kentucky from Cincinnati almost 20 years ago, I have been determined to discover my inner love for the Bluegrass State’s favorite drink, but I had yet to take a trip along Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail. So after two decades, I decided to seek out this love at the destination that traces back to Daniel Boone himself: Buffalo Trace Distillery, the most award-winning distillery in the world.
I arrived at the historic site of the distillery in Frankfort on a sunny, January day. Sunny and January don’t usually go together in Kentucky, so I apologize now for the vast amount of photos. I couldn’t help myself on such a gorgeous day and in such a fascinating environment.
The first thing you need to know about visiting Buffalo Trace is that all of the tours are free! And yes, they even include a tasting. You also need to know that you shouldn’t be intimidated one bit about venturing into the world of bourbon, even if you know nothing about it. The staff could not have been more friendly and the property itself was extremely easy to navigate.
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When I visited, I was lucky enough to walk around with my own tour guide (if you get Lee, tell him hello!), but all of the tour guides are engaging experts and all of the tours are worth experiencing. There are several tour options, but if you are new to bourbon and Buffalo Trace, the Trace Tour is an excellent starting point.
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Each tour varies in length and what parts of the distillery you will see. And even though the tours are complimentary, a reservation is highly recommended. Plan on spending at least two hours on the property - more if you like to explore, taste, and shop.
I knew the bourbon-making process was very involved and that the history runs deep, but I was still blown away by getting an up close view of the process and to quite literally walk through its history. I don’t want to give away too many details of the tour - you’ll want to experience it for yourself - but these photos give you a glimpse of what to expect.
I love this photo of Lee, walking amongst the iconic bourbon barrels.
If you want to experience this area of the distillery shown below, you’ll want to reserve a spot on the Old Taylor Tour. They lovingly referred to this as the “Bourbon Pompei,” as so much history has been discovered right where you’re able to walk while on the tour.
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The appreciation for authenticity and history is apparent all throughout the Buffalo Trace property, but I saw this appreciation truly shine when we stopped at Whiskey Woodcraft.
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Whiskey Woodcraft is a hidden gem at Buffalo Trace, and while this aspect of the business is newer, it is housed in one of the many historic buildings. Within these brick walls, you’ll be amazed by the craftsmanship and talent of the men who are creating bourbon-themed gifts, decor, and many other impressive items.
I was lucky enough to watch Jon Hartman, Master Woodcrafter at Buffalo Trace, create a muddler from start to finish, using a piece of an old barrel. You can get your own Buffalo Trace muddler by starting at the gift shop and looking for the Whiskey Woodcraft sign.
Both my tour guide, shown below with me during the tasting portion of the tour, and Jon exuded pride for their work and the history of bourbon and Kentucky. I loved what Jon shared with me about the purpose behind Whiskey Woodcraft - “Our main goal is to prove that Kentucky craftsmanship is something to be desired all over the world. We’re just getting started.”
At the tasting, I discovered that I do, in fact, like bourbon with a little bit of water, as well as Bourbon Cream, and Freddie’s Root Beer. Make sure you ask about the story behind Freddie’s Old Fashioned Soda - it’s another good one! And I did confirm that I can still claim Kentucky as my home, even if I add that little bit of water.
My final stop was the Buffalo Trace Gift Shop. If you have any doubt that Buffalo Trace is extremely popular, you won’t after some time in this shop. I was floored by the brand offerings, the unique gifts, and of course the wall of bourbon. There’s another tasting area, as well, where I was able to try the new Traveller Whiskey - a partnership with Chris Stapleton.
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Clearly I had a wonderful time on my tour of Buffalo Trace Distillery, and I want to recap a few tips, especially if it’s your first time visiting.
1. Make a tour reservation to ensure a spot and the time you want to visit. The tours are free!
2. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for being outside.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
4. Children are welcome! All ages can enjoy the Trace Tour and ages 12 years and older may take the other tours with an adult. They can even taste the root beer during the tasting portion of the tour.
5. Buffalo Trace is dog-friendly! Fido may not be able to enjoy some of the buildings, but if you have a well-behaved dog who loves the smell of bourbon, bring him along!
6. The distillery is located in Frankfort, it’s very easy to find, and there is plenty of parking.
1. Make a tour reservation to ensure a spot and the time you want to visit. The tours are free!
2. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for being outside.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
4. Children are welcome! All ages can enjoy the Trace Tour and ages 12 years and older may take the other tours with an adult. They can even taste the root beer during the tasting portion of the tour.
5. Buffalo Trace is dog-friendly! Fido may not be able to enjoy some of the buildings, but if you have a well-behaved dog who loves the smell of bourbon, bring him along!
6. The distillery is located in Frankfort, it’s very easy to find, and there is plenty of parking.
Now that you are ready to explore Buffalo Trace along the Bourbon Trail, you’ll need a place to spend the night. This downtown Frankfort, bourbon-themed Airbnb, is within walking distance to Buffalo Trace. It’s the perfect way to round out your experience. Head to its listing to see more of this Bourbon Trail Airbnb.
I truly hope you enjoy your time at Buffalo Trace as much as I did. I plan on returning soon – it would be the ideal spot on a beautiful spring, summer, or fall day. Whether or not you love bourbon, you will love this distillery tour, and you’ll also, very likely, fall in love with Kentucky all over again.
Follow the links throughout the article for more information, or head here to visit the Buffalo Trace website.
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Featured Addresses
Buffalo Trace Distillery, 113 Great Buffalo Trce, Frankfort, KY 40601, USA