Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Buffalo Trace Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (~$23.99) begins with the finest Kentucky and Indiana corn, selected rye, and superior malted barley. Upon delivery the grains undergo a general visual inspection for any obvious abnormalities. Bushel weight is then checked to ensure the grain demonstrates the proper baseline characteristics. Finally, a sample of the grain is tested in the distillery laboratory to determine if it meets Buffalo Trace's standards for moisture levels and chemical balance.
Approximately 30-35 barrels of aged whiskey are selected from the middle floors of Warehouses C, I and K. Samples from these barrels are reviewed by the distillery’s tasting panel. If any one taster rejects a sample, the barrel it represents will not be used for Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Only the barrels of approved bourbon samples (usually no more than 25-30 barrels) will be married and bottled as Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Buffalo Trace Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey is 90-Proof (45% ABV) with its distillery located in Franklin County, Kentucky.
History
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was introduced in August of 1999 but the history of the distiller and its founding fathers dates much further. The Buffalo Trace Distillery site encompasses 119 acres and 114 buildings. The first modern distillery was built on this site in 1857 and was the first to incorporate the use of steam power–a major advance in producing high quality bourbon. This distillery was later purchased by E.H. Taylor, Jr., one of Kentucky's original Bourbon aristocrats.
George T. Stagg worked as a whiskey salesman in St. Louis, he had the good fortune of teaming up with bourbon icon E. H. Taylor. Together they built the most dominant American distillery of the 19th century. Taylor brought advancements to the facility as well as to the entire whiskey industry. By 1886, the distillery had introduced the nation's first climate-controlled warehousing for aging whiskey and had earned a worldwide reputation for producing America's finest bourbons.
During prohibition the distillery was allowed to continue distillation for medical purposes (in limited quantities). After Repeal, Albert Blanton took over the operation of the distillery and added many quality control enhancements. The George T. Stagg distillery was renamed Buffalo Trace in June 1999 and introduced its flagship bourbon, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
In 2000, the distillery was honored with the prestigious “Distillery of the Year” designation by Malt Advocate Magazine, the culmination of Stagg’s work, begun nearly 150 years ago.
Product Reviews and Press
Awards
- 2000 Bronze, San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2000 Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2001 Bronze, International Spirit Challenge
- 2001 Bronze, San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2002 Bronze, International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2002 Seal of Approval, International Spirits Challenge
- 2003 Commended, International Wine & Spirit Competition
- 2003 Gold Medal, International Review of Spirits Award
- 2003 Gold Medal– Beverage Testing Institute
- 2003 Silver, International Spirits Challenge
- 2003 Silver, San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2004 Gold Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2004 Silver, International Spirits Challenge
- 2005 Silver, International Spirits Challenge
- 2005 Silver, International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2005 Silver, San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2006 Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2007 Gold Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2008 Bronze Medal, International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2008 Bronze Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2008 Gold Medal, Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
Distillery Awards:
- 2008 - San Francisco Spirits Competition - Distillery of the Year
- 2006 - Wine Enthusiast Magazine - Distillery of the Year
- 2006 to 2007 - Malt Advocate Magazine - Distillery of the Year
- 2006 to 2007 - Whisky Magazine America - Distillery of the Year