Choose Your Perfect Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour!
Step into 200 years of rich bourbon heritage with Buffalo Trace Distillery tours in Frankfort, Kentucky. Enjoy complimentary tours and tastings while exploring one of America’s most iconic distilleries—advance registration is recommended to secure your spot.
Tours at Buffalo Trace Distillery in 2026
There’s something strange about walking into Buffalo Trace. The air feels sweet and old — like someone spilled bourbon a hundred years ago and the scent never left. People talk about the best tour like it’s a secret password, but honestly, it depends on what you want. Some folks chase history. Others chase that last pour that hits just right.
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Why Should You Visit Buffalo Trace Distillery?
Whether you’re a bourbon enthusiast or a curious traveler, Buffalo Trace Distillery offers an experience that’s rich in flavor, history, and charm. Here’s what makes it worth the trip:
Historic Legacy
As the oldest continuously-operating distillery in the U.S., Buffalo Trace has over 200 years of bourbon-making tradition and resilience.
World-Class Bourbon
Home to iconic labels like Buffalo Trace, Blanton’s, and Eagle Rare, it’s a rare chance to taste legends where they’re born.
Free Tours & Tastings
Enjoy a guided walk through the distillery and sample a selection of spirits—all complimentary and expertly led.
Scenic & Iconic Grounds
Explore picturesque architecture, historic warehouses, and the peaceful setting along the Kentucky River.
Rare Bottles & Gifts
Shop exclusive releases, branded merchandise, and bourbon-inspired products found only at the distillery.
Warm Kentucky Hospitality
The staff are welcoming, knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing their love of bourbon and its story.
About Buffalo Trace Distillery — Frankfort, Kentucky
Walk through the stone gates, and the air changes. There’s something sweet and old about it — decades of bourbon seeping into the wood, the brick, the ground itself. You notice it before you even see the warehouses.
Distilling started on this site in 1775. The first proper distillery building went up in 1812. In 1870, Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. poured what was then a small fortune into rebuilding it, naming it the O.F.C. Distillery. By 1886, the operation here became the first in the country to install climate-controlled warehouses for aging whiskey.
We’ve been through a lot since then. Fires. A tornado that cracked open one of our aging warehouses and accidentally created one of the most talked-about bourbons we’ve ever made. Prohibition — which we survived by producing medicinal whiskey and never shutting down. In 2013, we were named a National Historic Landmark — a rare distinction recognizing us as one of the few fully functional and operational distilleries with that status.
Today, more than 600 people work here in Frankfort. Knowledge and stories pass between generations. Every barrel we make carries that weight.
Our aging warehouses date back to 1881. The campus spans over 100 buildings. The craft begins with hand-selected grain, pure limestone water, natural fermentation, and traditional copper stills.
And when you visit, all tours and tastings are complimentary, with reservations opening up to eight weeks ahead. The Trace Tour is the best starting point; the Hard Hat Tour is for those who want to get closer to the actual production.
The taste is rich and complex, with hints of vanilla, toffee, and candied fruit. The smooth finish lingers on the palate. That will never change.
What brands does the Buffalo Trace Distillery tour cover?
| Spirit | Type | Proof | Tasting notes | Availability at distillery | Tourist tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Trace Bourbon | Straight bourbon | 90 proof | Vanilla, toffee, candied fruit. Hints of mint and oak on the finish. Aged ~8 years. | Limited — sells out fast | The flagship. Start here if you’re new to bourbon. Great everyday pour at a fair price — when you can find it. |
| Eagle Rare 10 Year | Straight bourbon | 90 proof | Toffee, orange peel, herbs, honey and oak on the nose. Bold, dry palate with cocoa and candied almonds. | Allocated — rotating basis | Arguably the best value single-barrel bourbon in America. If it’s available in the gift shop the day you visit — buy it. |
| W.L. Weller Antique 107 | Wheated bourbon | 107 proof | Caramel corn, plums, light toffee, new leather. Marshmallow and nougat on the palate. Long, sweet finish. | Allocated — rotating basis | Uses wheat instead of rye — the same mash bill philosophy behind Pappy Van Winkle. Often called “budget Pappy.” Get here early on days it’s available. |
| Sazerac Rye 100 Proof | Straight rye | 100 proof | Clove, black pepper, vanilla, citrus and licorice. Dry, spicy finish with a long linger. | Generally available | Named after the New Orleans bartender who created the original Sazerac cocktail. One of the oldest rye brands in the U.S. Try it in an Old Fashioned. |
| Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream | Cream liqueur | 30 proof | Rich dairy cream blended with Buffalo Trace Bourbon. Vanilla, caramel, soft spice. Smooth and dessert-like. | Generally available | Not a bourbon — but a crowd favorite. Best over ice or in coffee. The classic distillery serve is a “Buffalo Float” — pour it over root beer. |
| Wheatley Vodka | Craft vodka | 82 proof | Distilled 10 times, triple filtered. Clean, light, slightly grainy nose. Fresh and smooth with a soft vanilla finish. | Generally available | Made right here on campus. Named after Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. Good option for non-bourbon drinkers in your group. |
FAQ
How long are the tours?
Most run about an hour. Some stretch longer if you linger, which you probably will.
What’s the best distillery tour on the Bourbon Trail?
Hard to say. Buffalo Trace has this charm — unpolished, real, like bourbon itself before it’s dressed up in a fancy bottle.
Do I have to pay for the Hard Hat Tour?
Nope. Still free. Though it feels like something you should pay for.
Johnnie Walker or Buffalo Trace?
Apples and oranges. Scotch versus bourbon. If you want clean and smoky, go to Scotland. If you want warmth, sweat, and a little chaos — stay in Kentucky.
Lexington or Louisville?
Depends on your vibe. Louisville’s louder, full of bars and bustle. Lexington’s closer, smaller, and feels more like home base for the trail. Buffalo Trace itself? Smack in the middle, right in Frankfort.
Is Buffalo Trace Distillery worth visiting?
Absolutely. Buffalo Trace is one of America’s oldest continuously operating distilleries, with over 200 years of history on a 440-acre National Historic Landmark campus. All tours and tastings are completely free, the grounds are open 7 days a week, and the experience works for first-timers and serious bourbon enthusiasts alike. Few distilleries anywhere offer this combination of scale, history, and no admission cost.
How long are Buffalo Trace Distillery tours?
Tour length depends on which option you choose. The Trace Tour runs approximately 75–90 minutes including tasting. The Old Taylor Tour is 75 minutes. The Hard Hat Tour is the longest at around 90–105 minutes. All tours are complimentary and end with a tasting of core Buffalo Trace expressions. Plan for at least 2–3 hours total when you factor in the gift shop and grounds.
Is Buffalo Trace on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?
No. Buffalo Trace is not an official member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, which is operated by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA). Buffalo Trace was a founding member in 1999 but its parent company Sazerac withdrew from the KDA in late 2009 following a trademark dispute. The distillery continues to operate its own tours independently and remains one of the most visited bourbon destinations in Kentucky — it simply does not appear on the official KDA passport or map.
What are Buffalo Trace Distillery’s visiting hours?
Buffalo Trace is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The distillery is closed on Easter Sunday, Independence Day (July 4th), Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Walk-in tastings at the gift shop are available daily with no reservation required, up to 30 minutes before closing.
Is Buffalo Trace open on Labor Day Monday?
Yes. Labor Day is not on Buffalo Trace Distillery’s official closure list. The distillery’s closed days are Easter Sunday, Independence Day (July 4th), Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. On Labor Day Monday, regular hours apply: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. That said, always confirm on [buffalotracedistillery.com](https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com) before your visit as hours can change.
How far is Castle & Key Distillery from Buffalo Trace?
Castle & Key Distillery is approximately 20–25 minutes from Buffalo Trace by car, making them a natural pairing for a single day on the Frankfort bourbon circuit. Both are located in the Frankfort, Kentucky area. Woodford Reserve is also within roughly 20–30 minutes of Buffalo Trace, making the three distilleries a manageable same-day combination if you have private transportation.
Is Buffalo Trace Distillery on the official Bourbon Trail map?
No. Buffalo Trace does not appear on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail® map published by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. It left the KDA in 2009 and operates independently. However, it is geographically central to the Frankfort bourbon region and is consistently included on self-guided bourbon trail itineraries alongside nearby KDA members like Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, and Castle & Key.
Is Buffalo Trace open on Christmas Eve?
No. Buffalo Trace Distillery is closed on Christmas Eve. The full list of annual closures includes Easter Sunday, Independence Day (July 4th), Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Which Buffalo Trace tour is the best?
Which Buffalo Trace tour is the best?
It depends on your interests.
The Trace Tour is the best choice for first-time visitors. It covers the full production overview, historic warehouses, and ends with a tasting. It runs about 75–90 minutes and is ADA accessible.
The Hard Hat Tour is the best choice for bourbon enthusiasts who want a behind-the-scenes look at active production, including the mash cookers, fermentation, distillation, and the E.H. Taylor Jr. Microstill. It runs about 90–105 minutes but requires closed-toe shoes and is not suitable for guests under 12 or those with acrophobia.
The Old Taylor Tour focuses on the legacy of Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. and is best for a repeat visitor who has already done the Trace Tour. It runs 75 minutes and involves stairs and significant walking.
Don’t want to deal with logistics? Book a guided tour from Louisville.
If you’d rather let someone else handle the driving, reservations, and routing — especially if everyone in your group wants to drink freely — these Viator tours include Buffalo Trace as part of a full Kentucky bourbon day:
Bourbon Trail Tour: Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve & More — from Louisville — Small-group tour with transportation, guided distillery tours, and tastings at three Kentucky distilleries including Buffalo Trace. 854+ reviews.
Choose Your 3 Distilleries: Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Woodford, Wild Turkey & More — Build your own bourbon day from a list of 15+ distilleries. Hotel pickup from downtown Louisville included.
Full-Day Kentucky Distillery Tour with Buffalo Trace, Woodford & Four Roses — Full-day small-group experience with pickup, tours, and tastings included. Good option if you want to cover maximum ground in one day.
Buffalo Trace Distillery Tours & Tastings
Distillery Hours
Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.
Buffalo Trace Distillery is closed Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Gift Shop Hours
Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m.
Buffalo Trace Distillery is closed Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Contact
Address: 113 Great Buffalo Trce, Frankfort, KY 40601, USA
Phone: +1 (866) 729-3722