Buffalo Trace and Barton 1792 to reopen on 1 July

Sazerac will reopen Kentucky distilleries Buffalo Trace and Barton 1792 to the public next week with a number of safety measures in place and larger visitor centres.

Buffalo Trace will operate tastings at its distillery with new safety measures in place

The Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort and Bardstown-based Barton 1792 suspended tours from 16 March 2020 until further notice due to the coronavirus crisis.

Both sites will now reopen to the public on 1 July with new safety measures in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and government recommendations. All tours and tastings at both sites remain complimentary.

Buffalo Trace will open a newly expanded visitor centre, which is three times bigger in size compared to the previous space.

“We are taking every step we can to address the health, safety and comfort of our guests to ensure the best experience possible,” said homeplace development director Meredith Moody.

“Our goal is to create a safe haven for all visitors while providing the same rich history and experiences for which we’re known. We can’t wait to reopen to the public and show guests our expanded visitor centre and tasting rooms.”

Guests to both distilleries will be required to register for a tour or event ahead of their visit to allow the site to manage group sizes in accordance with physical distancing. The distillery grounds and playground will only be available to consumers who have registered and checked in.

Tours and events will be kept to small, comfortable groups and protective shields have been installed at the bars and tills. Gift shop visitor capacity will also be limited. Both Buffalo Trace and Barton 1792 will continue to provide curbside sales.

Visitors will need to check in when visiting either site, which will include providing individual contact information to allow contract tracing, as well as having their temperatures taken.

Guests will also be asked to wear a face mask, which will also be provided to those who forget to bring them. All employees at both distilleries will also be wearing face masks and will have had their temperatures taken upon entrance.

The Buffalo Trace Distillery will operate from 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday. Tour registrations can be made on the Buffalo Trace website.

Buffalo Trace welcomed its highest number of visitors in 2019 – a 35% increase on the previous year.

Barton 1792

Meanwhile, Barton 1792, Bardstown’s oldest operating distillery, will begin utilising Bards Tavern, formerly known as Hilltop Inn, as its gift shop and visitor centre. Bards Tavern is located just outside the distillery gates on Cathedral Manor.

This will allow Barton 1792 to double the space of its previous visitor centre and allow the former location to be used exclusively for tastings.

“Every effort to address the health, safety and comfort of our guests is being taken,” said Moody. “We want to offer the best experience possible while providing the same rich history and experiences our fans love. We are thrilled to reopen to the public, and with the expanded visitor space that Bards Tavern offers.”

Barton 1792 Distillery will be open from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Consumers can register for the tour on the distillery’s website.

A warehouse at the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown