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Buffalo Trace (Buffalo Trace) – an outstanding American bourbon, awarded many gold awards in international competitions. The drink is produced by the distillery of the same name in Kentucky, which is recognized as the best distillery in the United States. The huge production complex in Frankfurt is owned by Sazerac and produces up to 10 million liters of spirits per year.
Historical information
The company traces its history back to 1775, when the Lee brothers founded a small distillery in a small settlement in Kentucky, on the site of which the city of Frankfurt is now located. American settlers mastered the Wild West, following the wide roads that were trampled by herds of bison. Therefore, built in 1812, the plant was named Buffalo.
In 1872, the new owner, Edmund Teller, built a large-scale enterprise on the site of the distillery, investing an exorbitant amount of 77 thousand dollars in the equipment of the workshops at that time. The owners of the plant changed, and each contributed something of his own to the development of production. During Prohibition, the company was run by Albert Blanton. He managed to obtain government permission to release whiskey “for medicinal purposes.”
Thanks to Blanc’s entrepreneurial spirit, the firm managed to safely survive the Great Depression. After the ban on alcohol was lifted, the plant rapidly increased production volumes. Since 1992, the company has been owned by the Sazerac family company, which has carried out a large-scale reconstruction of the workshops. The Buffalo Trace bourbon was first released in 1999 and became the company’s flagship product.
Production features
The production uses corn, rye and barley malt. The wort ferments in ten tanks, designed for a volume of 350 thousand liters. Tanks are considered the largest in the industry, their size reaches the height of a four-story building. After distillation, alcohols with a strength of 62,5% are obtained.
Future bourbon is diluted and placed in charred barrels, which are used no more than twice. The containers are placed in a warehouse in a certain order, since a stable level of humidity and temperature plays an important role for proper ripening. Cheaper varieties are placed at the edges, expensive ones in the center. The average aging time is from 4 to 10 years, elite species are stored much longer.
Awards:
- Los Angeles Wine & Spirits Competition, 2008 – gold medal;
- New-York World Wine and Spirits Competition, 2014 – double gold;
- San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2012, 2016 – double gold;
- IWSC 2010, London – silver.
Interesting Facts
- In the days of Prohibition in the United States, whiskey was sold in pharmacies and it was possible to buy it only with a doctor’s prescription. The consequences of serious injuries were treated with alcohol, but the amount was strictly limited – no more than 0,5 liters for ten days. Only four enterprises of the country had the right to sell.
- In 2013, the Buffalo Trace Distillery was designated a National Monument, and in 2018 was awarded the honorary title of America’s Whiskey Icon.
Characteristics of whiskey Buffalo Trace Bourbon, 45%
Bourbon is made from corn, rye and barley malt. The distillate is aged in oak barrels until the peak of maturity. The color is amber with reddish reflections. In a thick aroma, notes of grain, mint, tobacco and fragrant spices are distinguished.
Fresh and sweet taste filled with nuances of ripe fruit and anise. In the aftertaste, notes of burnt wood and vanilla are felt. Expert Jim Murray in his book called Buffalo Trace one of the greatest whiskeys in the world.
