Buffalo Trace - America's Most Award-Winning Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky is one of the most historic and celebrated distilleries in America. Dating back to 1773, the distillery has operated continuously for over 200 years, producing some of the world's most sought-after bourbons including Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Blanton's, and the legendary Antique Collection.
🏆 World's Most Award-Winning Distillery — Buffalo Trace has won more awards than any other distillery in history, including "Distiller of the Year" multiple times. The distillery is also a National Historic Landmark.
The Buffalo Trace Legacy: America's Bourbon Cathedral
Buffalo Trace is widely regarded as producing some of the best whiskey in the world, particularly in the bourbon whiskey category. Located on the banks of the Kentucky River in Frankfort, the distillery has operated continuously for over 200 years, surviving Prohibition, fires, and floods. Today, Buffalo Trace is considered the "cathedral of American whiskey," producing iconic brands that define Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey.
Understanding what is whiskey made of helps appreciate Buffalo Trace's craftsmanship. Like all bourbon whiskey, Buffalo Trace uses a mash bill of at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels. The distillery's unique location provides exceptional limestone-filtered water, free of iron but rich in calcium, which is ideal for bourbon making. This is one of the key points in the difference between bourbon and whiskey when comparing to Scotch or japanese whisky.
Buffalo Trace Product Line
- Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon - The flagship expression. Notes of vanilla, caramel, toffee, and spice. A perfect introduction to bourbon whiskey.
- Eagle Rare 10 Year / 17 Year / 25 Year - Aged longer for deeper complexity. Highly allocated and sought after.
- Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) - The most sought-after annual bourbon release in the world, including:
- George T. Stagg - Barrel-proof, aged 15+ years. Intense caramel, chocolate, and oak.
- William Larue Weller - Wheated bourbon at barrel proof. Legendary smoothness.
- Eagle Rare 17 Year - The oldest expression in the BTAC lineup.
- Sazerac 18 Year - A rare straight rye whiskey.
- Thomas H. Handy Sazerac - Uncut and unfiltered rye whiskey.
- Weller - The original wheated bourbon. Includes Special Reserve, Antique 107, 12 Year, and the ultra-rare CYPB and Single Barrel.
- Blanton's - The original single barrel bourbon, bottled at the distillery.
- E.H. Taylor, Jr. - Bottled in bond series named after the "Father of the Bottled in Bond Act."
The difference between bourbon and whiskey is important when understanding Buffalo Trace's significance. Unlike single malt scotch whisky which uses malted barley, bourbon requires at least 51% corn. Buffalo Trace's wheated bourbons (Weller, Pappy) use wheat instead of rye for an even softer, sweeter profile. This has made them some of the most collectible whiskey brands in the world.
For those who enjoy cocktails, Buffalo Trace makes an exceptional whisky sour or best whiskey for old fashioned drinks. The distillery's classic bourbon is widely considered the best value in American whiskey. When comparing whisky vs whiskey, Buffalo Trace represents the pinnacle of American craftsmanship. Unlike blended scotch whisky or japanese whisky, Buffalo Trace offers a purely American flavor profile with deep historical roots.
Why Is Buffalo Trace So Popular?
- Exceptional quality-to-price ratio for the flagship bourbon
- Home to the most sought-after annual releases (BTAC, Pappy, Weller)
- Historic distillery with over 200 years of continuous operation
- Extremely limited allocation for premium expressions
- Award-winning taste and consistency across all product lines
The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) is the most anticipated annual bourbon release in the world. Released each fall in extremely limited quantities, these five bottles sell out within hours. Each expression is aged for 15-20 years and bottled at barrel proof, representing the distillery's oldest and rarest barrels. Secondary market prices for BTAC bottles often exceed $1,000-$2,000.
Weller: The Original Wheated Bourbon
W.L. Weller is credited as the first distiller to use wheat instead of rye in his bourbon recipe. Today, Weller bourbons are among the most sought-after and allocated whiskies in the world. The Weller lineup includes Special Reserve, Antique 107, 12 Year, Full Proof, CYPB (Craft Your Perfect Bourbon), and the ultra-rare Single Barrel. All are produced at Buffalo Trace using the same wheated mash bill as Pappy Van Winkle.
Other whiskey brands produced at Buffalo Trace include Blanton's, E.H. Taylor, Sazerac Rye, and Stagg Jr. From low cost whisky entry points to ultra-premium expensive whiskey investment bottles, Buffalo Trace offers something for every collector. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or new to bourbon whiskey, Buffalo Trace is an essential part of any collection.
Shop the complete Buffalo Trace collection at WhiskyTreasury, where we offer authentic bottles with worldwide shipping. Due to extreme rarity for BTAC and Weller expressions, availability is limited. Contact us for current allocation and pricing.