Wherever I May Roam - Travel Blog

Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour: What To Know Before You Go

By: Author Melody Pittman

Posted on May 16, 2023

Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour: What To Know Before You Go

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!

entrance-buffalo-trace

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.

buffalo-trace-distillery-warehouse

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.

property-at-buffalo-trace-distillery-kentucky

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!

guided-tour-buffalo-trace

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.

national-register-historic-places-buffalo-trace

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.

mash-and-fermenters-bourbon-distillery

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.

founders-of-buffalo-trace-bourbon

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

color-aging-process-bourbon

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.

third-generation-buffalo-trace-family

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.

buffalo-trace-bourbon-talk

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.

rebecca-ruth-candies

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.

buffalo-trace-flight

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.

buffalo-trace-whiskey-vault

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

gift-shop-buffalo-trace

Pin This Post For Later!

buffalo-trace-bourbon-tour

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Bourbon Obsessed Top

Bourbon Reviews, Distillery News and Information

Bourbon Obsessed℠

Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour - Visitor Center

Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

Ed

  • October 10, 2023
  • Distilleries , Distillery Reviews

113 Great Buffalo Trace Frankfort, KY 40601 Tours/Tastings: 800-654-8471 Gift Shop: 800-654-8471 or 502-696-5926 www.buffalotracedistillery.com Tour/Review

Please enjoy our Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour review!

Buffalo Trace Distillery Is A Great Place To Visit

Among distilleries anywhere, Buffalo Trace is top notch, and we’ll tell you just a few of the reasons why.  First, Buffalo Trace Distillery is a National Historic Landmark. Designated in 2013, the grounds are beautifully groomed and the historic buildings transport the visitor to another time. Second, tours are free.  Yes, all six currently offered tours and tastings are free of charge.  Third, the different types of tours available are impressive. Whether you want a general overview of the distillery, a behind the scenes look at the distilling operations or a walk through the Arboretum, Botanical Gardens and Bird Sanctuary, there’s a tour for you. We have taken many of the different tours over the years, and they are all very educational and enjoyable.

Fermenters

A Recent Expansion

Buffalo Trace recently underwent a massive expansion of both their distillery and the visitor center. The new visitor center is LARGE. It features the Buffalo Trace Distillery Gift Shop, as well as portrait displays which are utilized during the tours. In addition, there are now multiple tasting rooms and tasting bars, as well as expanded seating. Even with this expansion, the number of people wanting to visit still exceeds capacity.

Tour Desk

The Trace Tour at Buffalo Trace Distillery

On our first visit back in 2019, we chose The Trace Tour, which at the time, was the only tour that did not require reservations. Reservations are now required for all tours at this point, as Buffalo Trace Distillery has become a very popular destination. Importantly, The Trace Tour is the only tour that is open to all ages. All of the other tours are not available for children under 12 years of age. As of October 2023, the Trace Tour runs at least hourly, Monday-Saturday 9AM-5PM and Sunday 11AM-5PM.  Based on visitor flow, tours may run more frequently during the hour.  For example, the day we toured, the Trace Tour was being offered every 20-30 minutes, but your results may vary.  This tour is a great option to get a nice overview of the Distillery and to sample some of Buffalo Trace’s products.

Frootbat - Making hard to find liquor easy to buy

Book Your Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour Well In Advance

Booking tours at Buffalo Trace Distillery is now a streamlined process, but it does take advanced planning. Tours are booked online at buffalotracedistillery.com , with dates released weekly, on Wednesdays at 10AM Eastern. Buffalo Trace releases dates up to 8 weeks in the future, so it behooves you to plan well in advance of your anticipated visit. They even post on their website the exact date and time when booking for specific dates will open up. Finally, a waitlist tool is also available if your dates of choice are already full.

Fermenter at Bourbon Pompeii - The Old Taylor Distillery at Buffalo Trace Distillery

Parking At Buffalo Trace Distillery

Parking is easy at Buffalo Trace distillery.  The paved lot is large, and the ample signage directing the way, makes it quick, too.  Motorcycle parking is available as well. The parking lot allows easy access to the visitor center. But first, after parking but before entering the distillery grounds and the visitor center proper, all visitors must check in the building at the end of the parking lot. Don’t forget to bring your ID!

Our Tour Begins

While the details may have changed a bit over the years, the general flow is similar. The order and choice of stops may very a bit, with some tours visiting more of the working distillery. Now a days, tours start from the visitor center and can either head directly back into the distillery or out onto the campus. Upstairs in the Visitor Center are multiple portraits of the men who shaped what would become the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Your tour may start discussing the distillery’s history, as you move from portrait to portrait. We have also had tours begin outside.

William Larue Weller Portrait - Buffalo Trace Visitor Center

Our First Buffalo Trace Tour

On our initial The Trace Tour, after a brief introduction by our tour guide, we first headed to the nearby Free House where we saw an interesting video on the history of the Buffalo Trace Distillery. After the video, our guide explained the basics of aging the bourbon and was aided by a nifty display which included 4 barrels of bourbon with see through barrel heads. Each barrel was at a different stage in the aging process:  one at entry level, the next at 4 years, then 9 years, and finally 18 years.  All 4 barrels had a different level and color of bourbon.  It was a great visual aid for the explanation of the changes that take place during aging, including the yearly loss of bourbon due to evaporation (known as the “angels’ share”).

Display of Bourbon At Different Ages of Maturity - Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

Buffalo Trace Distillery Warehouse C

Our next stop brought us to the very large Warehouse C. Warehouse C is a very old warehouse on the property. It was built by Colonel E.H. Taylor back in 1885 and has been the aging location for many fine whiskeys. In fact, two are highlighted in the E.H. Taylor Bourbon family – the Warehouse C and Tornado Surviving Bourbons. We walked in and immediately the sweet smell of the 24,000 barrels of aging bourbon whiskey overwhelmed our senses.  Here we learned about how Buffalo Trace warehouses and ages their products.

Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour - Warehouse C

Time To Bottle The Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon

The Albert B. Blanton Bottling Hall was our final dabble into the world of the Buffalo Trace Distillery. While Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon is famously aged in Col. Blanton’s favorite Warehouse H, it is all bottled here. This tiny building is an active bottling facility for Blanton’s Bourbon and amazingly, it is all done by hand.  It was fun and surprising to see how many steps are required for the finished bottle.

Albert B Blanton Bottling Hall - Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

Back To The Buffalo Trace Distillery Visitor Center

The Trace Tour, like most distillery tours, ends where it began, back at the visitor center.  This time we headed to the second floor for our tasting.  Five products were available for tasting.  They included the White Dog, Wheatley Vodka, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare Bourbon, Bourbon Cream, and of course, a bourbon ball.  Our tour and tasting lasted approximately one hour, although today’s The Trace Tour has a duration of 75 minutes. Overall, we really enjoyed our time at Buffalo Trace Distillery, and have returned many times since to take advantage of the other available tours. A visit is highly recommended; just don’t forget to plan well in advance! Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour review! Would you like to learn about a couple of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Bourbons? Check out our Buffalo Trace Bourbon Review and Blanton’s Bourbon Review !

Please note that Distillery Hours and Tour/Tasting Availability may vary. Please contact the distillery or check their web page or social media for details before you go.

Updated: October 10, 2023

Buy Bourbon Obsessed Hats & Glencairns

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us?? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!

Sign up for our newsletter

We don’t spam! You can unsubscribe at any time.

Please check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

S ign up to receive our newsletter!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Thank you! Next, please check your inbox or spam folder for our email to confirm your subscription.

Ed

buffalo trace vip tour

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

buffalo trace vip tour

701 Wilkinson Blvd, Frankfort, KY 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

| Kentucky River Tours | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Website by Creekmore Marketing

Sign up for the brand-new Whiskey Raiders Bottle of the Month Club!

  • Home Page
  • All Reviews
  • Build Your Bar
  • Holiday Guides
  • Ready To Drink
  • Whiskey FAQs
  • Travel Logs
  • Limited Edition Whiskey Releases
  • Hand Selected By T8ke
  • Read The FAQ
  • About Whiskey Raiders
  • About t8ke
  • Bottle of the Month Club

Buffalo Trace’s Legendary Tour Guide Donates To Restore African American Cemetery With Profits From Soda Brand

Buffalo Trace Distillery has many familiar faces. Many of them are encompassed in their bottles of bourbon – many rare, hard to find, and aggressively hunted by bourbon lovers. That said, not every face lives in the photos, portraits or bottles of booze holed up at the Frankfort, Kentucky distillery.

Enter Freddie Johnson , a long time tour guide and beloved face of the Buffalo Trace family and whiskey community.

Back in 2019, the distillery rebranded their root beer, and later their ginger beer, to bear Freddie’s name. Along with this rebranding came a promise: a share of proceeds, totaling $1.00 USD, from every case sold would serve as a donation. Freddie would choose the recipients of these donations. As a result, the first check has been cut, donating $11,872 dollars to the refurbishment and restoration of Green Hill Cemetery.

“This cemetery holds a lot of important historical significance for the local community as well as for the state of Kentucky,” Johnson said. “We are so thankful for this partnership and excited to put these funds to work to give this cemetery the restoration it needs, and give the families of loved ones buried here the final resting place their family members deserve.”

‘Hey Daddy-o’ Freddie Johnson’s Old Fashioned Soda Line Donates $11,872 to Restore African American Civil War Cemetery. Freddie has a vision for #GreenHillCemetery – ‘Old men dream dreams, young men see visions.’ U can donate. @BuffaloTrace @BTDistillery https://t.co/rQWBfQuHzb pic.twitter.com/GQb6zsLGYn — Distillery Daily (@DistilleryDaily) August 21, 2021

According to Buffalo Trace, the cemetery was founded in 1865, and honors 25,000 Black Kentucky troops who fought during the Civil War in America. Johnson is one of many volunteers who chairs the board of the historic cemetery, who have noted the cemetery was in desperate need of funding for years.

Here at  Whiskey Raiders , we do more than write about current events in Whiskey. We are the only media property reviewing whiskeys and  aggregating the scores and reviews of other significant voices in the whiskey world in one place. If you’re interested in getting a shot of whiskey in your morning email,  sign up for our Daily Dram Gram!

This post may contain affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site. This helps support Whiskey Raiders at no additional cost to you.

Filed Under:

Follow whiskey raiders:.

' src=

Jay West, better known as t8ke across the internet and beyond, is a multi-disciplined spirits writer, media personality and above all else, drinks enthusiast. From tastings to conventions and events, you can always expect to find Jay wherever fine drinks are being served.

liquor bribe

Politician and Activist Known for Anti-Corruption Stance Accused of Accepting $12.1M in Liquor Bribes

cold beer ban

Political Candidate With ‘Unconventional’ Platform Promises Free Whisky and Beer to Lower-Income Groups if Elected

best whiskeys

The 10 Best Whiskeys We Tasted in March 2024

Coachella

Aperol Encourages Revelers to ‘Join The Vibe’ at Coachella With ‘Riverdale’ Actress Camila Mendes, Pop-Ups and More

Virginia abc

‘I’ve Got Enforcement Agents Following Me’: Whistleblowers, Allegations of Millions in Missing Alcohol and Intimidation — What’s Going on With the Virginia ABC?

beam suntory

Politician Under Investigation for Corruption Allegedly Accepted Nearly $2,000 in Illegal Whisky Gifts

Get the inside scoop on the latest & greatest whiskey releases in our daily newsletter.

  • MileagePlus Memories
  • More Live Events
  • How it works
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Milageplus exclusives

Join MileagePlus

  • Food & Wine
  • Travel to Kentucky for a VIP tasting and tour at Buffalo Trace Distillery  (4897118)

Travel to Kentucky for a VIP tasting and tour at Buffalo Trace Distillery

Wednesday, may 9 - friday, may 11.

This listing is sold out.

  • Description
  • Auction process

Buffalo Trace Distillery 113 Great Buffalo Trace Frankfort, KY 40601 Wednesday, May 9 – Friday, May 11, 2018

Beginning this summer, United is excited to serve Wheatley Vodka, a craft distilled vodka created by the same makers as the award-winning Buffalo Trace bourbon, already available inflight. To celebrate, we’re offering MileagePlus® members the chance to go behind the scenes at the most award-winning Distillery in the world, Buffalo Trace.  Rich in history and hospitality, Buffalo Trace has something to offer everyone. The Distillery sits on 440 acres in the heart of bourbon country with four centuries of architecture represented on site. The grounds are beautifully manicured all year long with colorful blossoms in the spring.

You’ll meet the Master Distiller, Harlen Wheatley, who makes Buffalo Trace’s award-winning whiskey and vodka. Having worked in every aspect of production from raw materials to barrel aging, as Master Distiller, Harlen is a four-time James Beard Award nominee as an Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional.

Harlen’s namesake vodka, Wheatley Vodka , is made in small batches using Harlen’s one of a kind micro-still and a unique recipe of wheat and other grains. Distilled a total of 10 times, triple filtered, and bottled at 82 proof this artisanal vodka has a clean, crisp, and fresh taste.  You’ll learn from the Master how his vodka was created, how it’s made and then taste his craft vodka directly from the micro-still.

Afterwards, you’ll enjoy lunch in The Old Taylor House, not only the oldest structure at the Distillery, but the oldest residential building in Franklin County, Kentucky. Constructed in the late 1700s, the two-story house has held many different roles, including being a residence, first aid clinic, and even a laboratory for the Distillery. While enjoying a delectable catered lunch in this historic home, you’ll visit with a few of the people responsible for restoring this building and the distillery as a whole over the past two decades, including Distillery President Mark Brown. 

That’s not all, you’ll also get an insider’s look into the behind-the-scenes work that goes into crafting truly great bourbon. You’ll witness everything from grain delivery to the cooking process to fermentation and, of course, distillation. Then walk amidst the path of rolling bourbon barrels. You will be captivated by the alluring smell and atmosphere of bourbon sleeping inside the aging warehouses. Then you will go inside the renowned Blanton’s Bottling Hall where you will see signature bourbons being filled, sealed, labeled, and packaged—all by hand.

Your day will conclude by tasting some of the world’s most award-winning bourbon. Learn how to smell, swirl and sip the finest bourbons the way it’s done in Kentucky. Including brands like Buffalo Trace, Blanton’s, Weller, George. T. Stagg, and Pappy Van Winkle. This is your chance to get a unique look at the world’s most award-winning Distillery. Bid now.  

(This experience is shared with other MileagePlus members and select media).  

This experience for two includes:

  • Roundtrip United Economy domestic airfare to Louisville, Kentucky*
  • Check in: Wednesday, May 9
  • Check out: Friday, May 11
  • Roundtrip ground transportation to distillery on Thursday, May 10
  • A look inside the distilling process by Wheatley Vodka creator Harlen Wheatley, including tasting right off the still
  • Tour of the Buffalo Trace Distillery (cooking grains, fermenting mash, bourbon barrels, bottling hall, etc.)
  • Tasting of their finest Bourbons

*Airfare only included for members outside the greater Louisville area.

**All guests must be 21 years or older to attend experience. 

Delivery Time:

Once the Auction closes for an item, you will be notified if your bid was successful via email and asked to check out by accurately and completely filling out your best contact and shipping information. If you do not check-out within 48 hours your item may be forfeited and awarded to the next highest bidder. You will also be contacted by a United representative within 5 business days with more information on your package, unless otherwise specified in the product description. The item will be shipped to the address you have designated upon check-out.* However, delivery dates cannot be guaranteed. Please allow 3-7 days for shipment of tickets, depending on the event date, and 4-6 weeks for shipment of merchandise, unless otherwise noted in the listing.

A physical mailing address within the 48 United States is required to bid on this item. Ships to U.S. 48 only. Cannot ship to a P.O. Box. For additional information, please refer to the Auction rules & restrictions. Return policy: Once a bid has been placed you cannot retract it. Except as otherwise determined by United Air Lines, Inc., in its sole discretion, no refunds will be provided on any Auction item. If for any reason an item is received damaged, becomes unavailable, or cannot be fulfilled in whole or in part, United Air Lines, Inc. reserves the right in its sole discretion to offer a concession to impacted members. Privacy policy: Any personal data received through your online transaction will be kept confidential and may only be used to process and complete the required transaction.

Auction Rules:

To participate in an auction, the number of Award Miles in your account should be at least equal to the Current bid per item. Enter the total number of Award Miles you want to bid in 'My max bid'. After placing your bid, you may follow the auction at the 'My auction account' page. If you win the auction, you will be notified via email and your account will be automatically debited for the amount of Award Miles you had bid. No miles will be deducted from your account before the end of the auction.

The quantity (number of items) available in this Auction is 1. You may not bid for more than one item. Bid per item Based on the current Winning bid, the system calculates the required minimum bid amount for your bid to become the Winning bid. Your bid must be equal or higher than the required minimum bid shown in the field \'My max bid\'. If your bid is higher than the required minimum, the system will automatically increase the bid on your behalf, using only as much of your Maximum bid as is required to keep you in the winning lot. 

The Maximum bid is the highest price in Award Miles you are willing to pay for the item, however you won\'t necessarily use the full amount of your maximum bid. Your maximum bid will be kept confidential. Winning bid The Winning bid is the highest bid among all bids received so far. Every bid placed replaces the current Winning bid. When the auction ends, the member holding the Winning bid will be the winner. Bid history In the Bid history, all bids that have been placed so far for the item are listed in reverse chronology. The current winning bid can be viewed by clicking "Show Winning Bids".

How will I receive my item?

  • Tangible items such as tickets, parking passes and merchandise will be shipped via FedEx to the primary address on file as quickly as possible after the miles have been deducted from your MileagePlus account. A member our MileagePlus Exclusives team will email members the FedEx tracking # as soon as the item ships. Please allow for up to 48 hours after winning or purchasing your item for a member from our team to reach out to you.
  • Non-tangible items such as flights, specific tickets, and details for your experience will be communicated electronically by a member from our MileagePlus Exclusives team. Please allow for up to 48 hours after winning or purchasing your item for a member from our team to reach out to you with additional information.

Can I have my items shipped to a different address?

  • Yes.  Before you purchase or win your item, please be sure to update your primary address in your account by logging into your account profile on united.com. You can edit your shipping information there. Once the miles have been deducted from your MileagePlus account, the transaction will be final and the items will automatically be shipped to the primary account.

United.com   |   About us   |   Contact us   |   FAQ   |   Terms & conditions   |   Privacy policy   |   Site map

Miles accrued, awards, and benefits issued are subject to change and are subject to the rules of the United MileagePlus® program, including without limitation the Premier® program, (the "MileagePlus Program") which are expressly incorporated herein. Please allow 6-8 weeks after completed qualifying activity for miles to post to your account. United® may change the MileagePlus Program including, but not limited to, rules, regulations, travel awards and special offers or terminate the MileagePlus Program at any time and without notice. United and its subsidiaries, affiliates and agents are not responsible for any products or services of other participating companies and partners. Taxes and fees related to award travel are the responsibility of the member. Bonus award miles, award miles and any other miles earned through non-flight activity do not count toward qualification for Premier status unless expressly stated otherwise. The accumulation of mileage or Premier status or any other status does not entitle members to any vested rights with respect to the MileagePlus Program. All calculations made in connection with the MileagePlus Program, including without limitation with respect to the accumulation of mileage and the satisfaction of the qualification requirements for Premier status, will be made by United Airlines® and MileagePlus in their discretion and such calculations will be considered final. Information in this communication that relates to the MileagePlus Program does not purport to be complete or comprehensive and may not include all of the information that a member may believe is important, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to all of the information on the united.com website and the MileagePlus Program rules. United and MileagePlus are registered service marks. For complete details about the MileagePlus Program, go to united.com.

Ways to use your miles

Mileageplus member-exclusive experiences and more..

  • Flight upgrades
  • Hotel Awards
  • Cruise Awards
  • United Club membership
  • Inflight Wi-Fi
  • TSA Precheck®
  • Airport purchases
  • Merchandise Awards
  • MileagePlus eGift Cards
  • Magazine Awards
  • Broadwayshows
  • MileagePlus Exclusives

The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday

Touring the buffalo trace distillery.

in Bourbon Whiskey , Featured , Tourism April 29, 2013 1 Comment

By Richard Thomas

(Credit: Joana 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.

A new, big batch. Very big. (Credit: Joana Thomas)

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.

The old, cobbled-together, romantic factory that is Buffalo Trace (Credit: Joana Thomas)

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.

Everyone loves being in the barrel house (Credit: Joana Thomas)

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.

Tagged with: Bourbon Whiskey Feature Whiskey Information Whiskey Travel

One comment

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!)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Silhouette of a Buffalo

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about visiting Buffalo Trace Distillery,  ordering products from our online gift shop to ship home. 

General Distillery Questions

How can i keep up to date with all the changes and news at buffalo trace distillery.

We’d love to include you in our quarterly newsletter, Happenings at the Trace. Sign up  here .

How much do the tours cost?

Our tours and tastings are complimentary.

What are the Photography Guidelines?

Click here to view information on our Photography Guidelines.

Do I need a reservation to take a tour?

No, but registration is recommended to guarantee a spot. Our  Visit Us  page will describe the tour opportunities and allow you to reserve a spot.

Is Buffalo Trace family friendly?

The Trace Tour is open to visitors of all ages. All other tours are open to guests that are 12 years of age and older and accompanied by an adult. Guests may also utilize our playground facilities daily between 9am and 8pm.

Is the distillery ADA accessible?

The Visitor Center and Gift Shop are ADA accessible. The Trace Tour is ADA accessible.

Can I bring my dog?

We are dog friendly and are happy for you to bring them on our campus.  If you take a tour, there are some place where dogs aren’t allowed, but your guide will provide that information.

Where can I park?

There is a large parking lot on our grounds for comfortable, complimentary parking. Access our parking map  here .

Is there RV and/or camper parking?

There are areas for parking RVs, large vehicles, and campers on the grounds.

What if I do not have time to take a tour? Can I just do a tasting or browse the Gift Shop?

You can register for a tasting, dependent on availability, at the Distillery.  We would love for you to come to our expanded gift shop, no reservation is required.

What products do you have available to taste?

Due to our unique liquor license, we can allow limited products for tasting. We can offer 1 and ¾ ounces of tastings per visitor, per day. Our tastings are included at the conclusion of your tour or available as a stand-alone experience. All tours and tastings are complimentary and require registration.

We offer the following items for sample after the conclusion of our tours: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Weller Special Reserve, Wheatley Vodka, Buffalo Trace Cream, Freddie’s Root Beer and Rebecca Ruth bourbon balls.

What spirits do you have available to purchase at the Gift Shop?

The following spirits are available for purchase on a limited basis:

  • Buffalo Trace Bourbon
  • Eagle Rare Bourbon
  • White Dog Mash Bill #1
  • Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream
  • Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon
  • E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch
  • Wheatley Vodka
  • W.L. Weller Special Reserve
  • Sazerac Rye

Do you ship your spirits?

No, our spirits are only available in our Gift Shop.

What are the directions to the Distillery?

From Lexington

Take I-64 West toward Louisville. Get off at Exit 58 and turn right off the exit ramp onto US-60 West. Go straight for 5 miles and do not make any turns. This road becomes 421-North/and US 127 South and Wilkinson Blvd. The entrance to Buffalo Trace Distillery will be on your right. Look for our green plank fence and turn right through the big stone gates onto Great Buffalo Trace.

Travel Time: 30 minutes

From Louisville

Take I-64 East towards Frankfort. Get off interstate at Exit #53B/US 127 North. Go North on US 127 North for 5 miles. Turn left onto 421 SOUTH (still 127 North/ also Wilkinson Blvd) directly after you cross the Kentucky River and see the Capital Plaza Hotel directly in front of you. *NOTE: Do not turn left until you have completely crossed over the entire bridge. Ensure you do not turn onto 421 NORTH which is directly before you cross the Kentucky River. The Buffalo Trace Distillery will be on the left in one mile. Look for our green plank fence and turn left through the big stone gates onto Great Buffalo Trace.

Travel Time: 60 minutes

From Cincinnati

Take I-75 South to I-64 West. Take I-64 West toward Louisville. Get off at Exit 58 and turn right off the exit ramp onto US-60 West. Go straight for 5 miles and do not make any turns. This road becomes 421-North/and US 127 South and Wilkinson Blvd. The entrance to Buffalo Trace Distillery will be on your right. Look for our green plank fence and turn right through the big stone gates onto Great Buffalo Trace.

Travel Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

From Nashville

Take I-65 North towards Louisville. Take Exit 93 for Martha Layne Collins/ Bluegrass Parkway towards Bardstown/Lexington. Merge onto Martha Layne Collins/ Bluegrass Parkway. Take Exit 59B to merge into 127 N toward Lawrenceburg/Frankfort. Turn left onto 421 SOUTH (still 127 North/ also Wilkinson Blvd) directly after you cross the Kentucky River and see the Capital Plaza Hotel directly in front of you. *NOTE: Do not turn left until you have completely crossed over the entire bridge. Ensure you do not turn onto 421 NORTH which is directly before you cross the Kentucky River. The Buffalo Trace Distillery will be on the left in one mile. Look for our green plank fence and turn left through the big stone gates onto Great Buffalo Trace.

Travel Time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Ship to Home Orders

What are the holiday shipping cutoffs.

We recommend the following schedule for orders to arrive by 12/24 within the continental U.S.

Why can't I add any Curbside Pickup items to my order?

At this time, Curbside Pick up ordering is unavailable. 

How can I confirm that my home delivery order went through?

Once you have placed your order you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive this shortly after placing an order, please make sure to check any junk or spam filters as some inboxes may mistakenly direct your confirmation there.

How can I find out if my order has been shipped?

Once your order has shipped you will receive another email confirmation that indicates your tracking number. Once you receive this email, please use the tracking number provided for updates on shipping status and estimated delivery date. Again, please double check all mailboxes if you have not received this within 3-5 days after placing your order.

When will my order ship?

Your order will generally be shipped within 3-5 business days of being received. Once it is shipped, you will receive an email with tracking information.

When will my order arrive?

Delivery Estimates are based on two factors: order processing time and time in transit. The time in transit depends on the delivery option selected in the checkout. Time in transit begins after the items have been shipped and picked up by the delivery carrier.

Available Shipping Method and Estimated Time in Transit

  • Standard Ground : 1–5 business days in transit
  • 2 Day Air : 2 business days in transit

All orders are shipped from Kentucky. Once your order has shipped, tracking information will be sent to via email.

I want to order an item that is currently out of stock. When will it be back in stock?

At this time we do not have advance notice of when additional inventory will become available, so unfortunately, we cannot provide you with any information regarding when an item will be back in stock. Please check back daily to see if the item you are looking for has come back into stock as the store is updated daily as inventory is received.

What is your return policy?

Buffalo Trace Distillery wants to ensure you are 100% satisfied with your order from us. If what you ordered did not work out for any reason, please contact us at (855) 915-5598. We are happy to assist you in returning an item for a refund or exchange.

Customer Care

  • Email:  ordersupport@buffalotrace.com
  • Phone:  (855) 915-5598
  • Normal Business Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm EDT and Sunday: 11am-5pm EDT
  • Buffalo Trace Distillery is closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
  • Email:  info@buffalotrace.com
  • Buffalo Trace Distillery is closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Zimmerman House

buffalo trace vip tour

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

buffalo trace vip tour

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Stephen K

Also popular with travelers

buffalo trace vip tour

Zimmerman House - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

  • (0.12 mi) Ash Street Inn
  • (0.78 mi) DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown
  • (0.58 mi) Tru By Hilton Manchester Downtown
  • (0.78 mi) Residence Inn by Marriott Manchester Downtown
  • (0.38 mi) Charming 1920s Era Apt, Quiet Neighborhood 2 miles from Downtown
  • (0.01 mi) Winter Garden Cafe
  • (0.42 mi) Red Arrow Diner
  • (0.53 mi) Hanover Street Chophouse
  • (0.24 mi) Souvlaki Pizza & Subs
  • (0.48 mi) Firefly American Bistro & Bar

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

R&K Insider

Join our newsletter to get exclusives on where our correspondents travel, what they eat, where they stay. Free to sign up.

A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

Featured city guides.

IMAGES

  1. Bourbon Fun During A Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

    buffalo trace vip tour

  2. BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY: Tour & Tasting with the Wandering Buffalos

    buffalo trace vip tour

  3. A Massive Buffalo Trace Brewery Tour is Coming to Sydney this October

    buffalo trace vip tour

  4. Win a VIP trip to the Historic Buffalo Trace Distillery

    buffalo trace vip tour

  5. Celebrating Buffalo Trace Distillery: Icons of Whisky's Distiller of

    buffalo trace vip tour

  6. Buffalo Trace UK Masterclass Tour

    buffalo trace vip tour

VIDEO

  1. Unveiling New Buffalo Trace Whiskey: Traveller Review #shorts

  2. Buffalo Trace Festival in Petersburg, IN

COMMENTS

  1. The Trace Tour

    The Trace Tour is an incredible introduction to the history and science of bourbon at Buffalo Trace Distillery. You will walk amidst the path of rolling bourbon barrels. You will be captivated by the alluring smell and atmosphere of bourbon sleeping inside the aging warehouses. Our engaging tour guides can teach guests of all levels and will ...

  2. Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour: What To Know Before You Go

    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!

  3. Visit Us

    Buffalo Trace Distillery 113 Great Buffalo Trace Frankfort, KY 40601. Distillery and Gift Shop Hours Mon-Sat 9:00am-5:00pm ET Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm ET

  4. Plan Your Visit

    At this time, tours are booked by online reservations. Dates are released weekly, on Wednesday's at 10:00 a.m. Eastern via Buffalo Trace . Our reservation calendar has dates released up to 8 weeks in the future and there is a running list of dates on the reservation site for upcoming release windows.

  5. Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

    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 ...

  6. Unveiling the Secrets: Booking Your Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

    The Buffalo Trace reservation calendar that opens this Wednesday at 10:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time) for tours taking place in 8 weeks. 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.

  7. Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour

    It is an historic landmark, the grounds are beautiful, the whiskey is great and the tours are free. Learn more about it in our review! Ed. October 10, 2023. Distilleries, Distillery Reviews. 113 Great Buffalo Trace. Frankfort, KY 40601. Tours/Tastings: 800-654-8471.

  8. The Trace Tour

    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 ...

  9. Buffalo Trace

    Buffalo Trace Distillery is a historic bourbon producer in Kentucky, offering a variety of tours, events and tastings. Book your reservation online and explore the rich history and craftsmanship of America's most award-winning distillery. Whether you want to enjoy the Toast of the Trace experience, find a cozy place to stay nearby, or get answers to your frequently asked questions, you can ...

  10. Booking A March Tour At The Buffalo Trace Distillery

    Step 1) Pick a reservation date. The first step is selecting a date for your tour. You may book your reservation date online at reservations.buffalotracedistillery.com, but availability could be limited depending on when you visit the site. The dates for the following month are open for you to book on the first Tuesday of the previous month.

  11. Buffalo trace- which tour?

    Distillery tours are similar as the process is similar but Buffalo Trace is nice because you have options. If the hard hat tour is being offered, book that one. If not, I recommend the Old Taylor Tour which involves learning more about the history and seeing an excavated portion of the old distillery. It does include a tasting. Report ...

  12. Events

    Buffalo Trace Distillery 113 Great Buffalo Trace Frankfort, KY 40601. Distillery and Gift Shop Hours Mon-Sat 9:00am-5:00pm ET Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm ET

  13. Buffalo Trace's VIP Tour Guide Donates Soda Brand Proceeds To Restore

    Buffalo Trace's Legendary Tour Guide Donates To Restore African American Cemetery With Profits From Soda Brand. t8ke Aug 23rd, 2021, 2:20 pm. Buffalo Trace Distillery has many familiar faces. Many of them are encompassed in their bottles of bourbon - many rare, hard to find, and aggressively hunted by bourbon lovers.

  14. Travel to Kentucky for a VIP tasting and tour at Buffalo Trace Distillery

    Buffalo Trace Distillery 113 Great Buffalo Trace Frankfort, KY 40601 Wednesday, May 9 - Friday, May 11, 2018 Beginning this summer, United is excited to serve Wheatley Vodka, a craft distilled vodka created by the same makers as the award-winning Buffalo Trace bourbon, already available inflight. To celebrate, we're offering MileagePlus® members the chance to go behind the scenes at the ...

  15. Touring the Buffalo Trace Distillery

    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 ...

  16. Frequently Asked Questions

    Phone: (855) 915-5598. Normal Business Hours: Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm EDT and Sunday: 11am-5pm EDT. Holiday Hours: Buffalo Trace Distillery is closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Questions about the Distillery tours, events, or our spirits and product availability: Email: [email protected].

  17. Buffalo Trace Tour Information

    1689170400 days hours minutes secondsuntilSept. 7-13 Tour Dates Become Available Step 1) Pick a reservation date The Buffalo Trace reservation calendar will open on Wednesday, July 12, at 10:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time) for tours taking place on September 7th -13th. You may book your reservation date online at reservations.buffalotracedistillery.com, but availability goes quick!

  18. Zimmerman House

    The next home is called the Kalil House and is located at 117 Heather Street. It was built in 1955 for Dr. Toufic and Mildred Kalil. This is a completely different house than the Zimmerman House. We were happy to be able to see both homes, if only from the street. You need to contact the Currier Museum to arrange a tour.

  19. 21 Things to Know Before You Go to Moscow

    1: Off-kilter genius at Delicatessen: Brain pâté with kefir butter and young radishes served mezze-style, and the caviar and tartare pizza. Head for Food City. You might think that calling Food City (Фуд Сити), an agriculture depot on the outskirts of Moscow, a "city" would be some kind of hyperbole. It is not.

  20. Buffalo Trace Tour Information

    1690984800 days hours minutes secondsuntilSeptember 28th - October 4th Tour Dates Available Step 1) Pick a reservation date The Buffalo Trace reservation calendar will open on Wednesday, August 2, at 10:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time) for tours taking place on September 28th - October 4th. You may book your reservation date online at reservations.buffalotracedistillery.com, but…

  21. Buffalo Trace Tour Information

    1694613600 days hours minutes secondsuntilNovember 9th - November 15th Tour Dates Available Step 1) Pick a reservation date The Buffalo Trace reservation calendar will open on Wednesday, September 12, at 10:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time) for tours taking place on November 9th - November 15th. You may book your reservation date online at reservations.buffalotracedistillery.com, but…