Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a bourbon producer in Frankfort, Kentucky, that stretches along the Kentucky River and works with copper stills and oak barrels. The site includes several warehouses, production buildings, and areas where visitors can follow the entire process from grain to bottling.

The site began operations in 1787, making it among the oldest continuously run facilities of its kind in the country, and continued production even during Prohibition. Between 1920 and 1933, it received special permission to make whiskey for medical use, which allowed it to survive a period when many other operations had to close.

The name comes from the paths that bison left on their way to the river, and these traces led early settlers to the present site. Visitors can still see the old warehouses where barrels rest using methods passed down through generations with little change.

Several free tours run daily, with some versions requiring advance booking and others accepting walk-ins. The grounds cover a large area, so visitors should wear comfortable shoes and plan some time to walk between the different buildings.

In the 1960s, the facility began experimenting with aging whiskey under controlled temperatures, an unusual departure from traditional natural storage at the time. Today, visitors can see both types of storage and compare the different approaches to developing flavor.

Location: Kentucky

Official opening: 1920

Website: http://buffalotrace.com/distillery.html

GPS coordinates: 38.21750,-84.86944

Latest update: December 12, 2025 21:33