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Buffalo Trace to double production

Kentucky-based Buffalo Trace will double its whiskey production after adding a second still house to its site.

Buffalo Trace still house
Buffalo Trace’s second still house contains a 40ft-tall still

In 2018, Buffalo Trace owner Sazerac pledged US$1.2 billion to boost production over a 10-year period.

To date, the distillery’s expansion efforts has led to a 50% increase in whiskey production at the site.

In the coming years, Buffalo Trace expects to double its whiskey-making capabilities, following the completion of an additional still house. It is expected to be operational by December 2022.

“We appreciate our fan’s patience as we’ve been laying down the foundation to produce more American whiskey than we ever have before,” said Sara Saunders, vice president, Buffalo Trace Distillery.

“We are still catching up to consumer demand and though our Bourbons can be hard to find at times, more is coming.

“When our new still starts early next year we will double our production and then we wait for it to age because one thing we will not do is cut any quality corners by lowering proof or age. We are committed to maintaining the highest quality whiskey at fair prices.”

The second still house is located adjacent to Buffalo Trace’s existing 1930s still house and contains a duplicate of the existing still, which can produce 60,000 gallons a day.

“We’re finishing the electrical work in the new still house now, and then will move into commissioning it for test runs in the next few weeks,” said Harlen Wheatley, master distiller. “If all goes as planned, we will start production before the end of this year.”

The distillery also recently added 14 new barrel warehouses, 12 additional fermenters, additional cookers, and a new cooling system. The producer also tripled the size of its visitor centre.

An additional dry house, hammer mill and wastewater treatment plant were constructed this year and are expected to be operational by the end of 2022.

The wastewater treatment plant will process 1.2 million gallons of water per day.

Steve Tolliver, president of Aqua Utility Services, Buffalo Trace Distillery’s regional wastewater operator, added: “The treatment plant will be comprised of a moving bed biofilm reactor, allowing wastewater to be treated efficiently and maintain water quality standards.

“Wastewater will be treated and disinfected so it’s clean enough to release into the Penitentiary Branch, which leads to the Kentucky River.”

The project has added 200 production-focused jobs at the distillery over the past four years. Up to 50 more jobs will be added in the next few years.

Earlier this year, Buffalo Trace owner Sazerac acquired Lough Gill Distillery in County Sligo, which will become the new home for its Irish whiskey brands.

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