Buffalo Trace fills nine-millionth barrel
Sazerac-owned Buffalo Trace Distillery has officially filled its nine-millionth barrel of Bourbon since Prohibition.
Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, filled its nine-millionth barrel on 29 September in a celebratory fashion.
The eight-millionth barrel was filled just three years earlier, in December 2022.
The ceremony was attended by Kentucky lieutenant governor Jacqueline Coleman, Franklin County judge executive Michael Mueller, Frankfort mayor Layne Wilkerson, and Buffalo Trace Distillery officials, including third-generation team member Freddie Johnson, whose family has been involved in every millionth barrel since 1942.
Harlen Wheatley, master distiller at Buffalo Trace Distillery, stated: “The filling of our nine-millionth barrel represents a historic chapter in the distillery’s story, which began more than two centuries ago and is still being written today.
“This milestone is exciting not just because we are producing more whiskey than ever before, but because every barrel filled ensures that generations to come will be able to enjoy the same quality and craftsmanship that has defined the distillery since the 1850s.”
Bourbon distilling at what is now known as Buffalo Trace Distillery dates back to the 1770s, with formal operations beginning in the 1850s.
During Prohibition, the distillery, then known as the George T Stagg Distillery, was one of the few permitted to produce whiskey for medicinal purposes.
Official barrel counting at the distillery began in 1933. Since then, the distillery has celebrated multiple milestones of reaching a million barrels, with the first occurring in 1942, followed by others in 1953, 1961, 1971, 1981, 2008, 2018, 2022, and the now in 2025.
Wheatley continued: “Since official barrel counting began in 1933, each millionth barrel milestone has marked more than just a number: they stand as symbols of heritage, resilience and the timeless pursuit of excellence in Bourbon.
“The distillery’s resilience was proven once again during the historic flood this past April, which touched 90% of the campus. I’m proud of the team for their hard work to ensure Buffalo Trace recovered quickly – after just a few short months, we’re 100% back open, operational and welcoming visitors.”
In keeping with tradition, the nine-millionth barrel will be signed by team members and placed inside Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Warehouse V, which is known as ‘the world’s only single barrel warehouse.’ The barrel will age there until the filling of the ten-millionth barrel.
Distillery visitors are welcome to view the barrel inside Warehouse V during regular business hours and take photos.
Distillery expansion
The milestone also marks the end of a decade-long US$1.2 billion expansion project at the distillery, which was completed in January this year.
The project, which increased the distillery’s production capacity by 150%, included a new distribution centre, bottling operation, upgraded cistern room, and new boiler, dry mill, and still houses to accommodate 20 new fermentation tanks, three steam boilers, and 19 new ageing warehouses.
As a result of the expansion, Buffalo Trace reached the milestone of producing its eight-millionth barrel more quickly than anticipated.
Jacqueline Coleman, lieutenant governor of Kentucky, added: “We are proud to be the birthplace of Bourbon, and celebrations like this one remind us that our signature industry is as strong as ever.
“Buffalo Trace Distillery not only preserves centuries of craftsmanship, but also drives jobs, tourism, and opportunity for families here in Franklin County and across the Commonwealth. Thank you to the leaders at Buffalo Trace for their continued commitment to the Commonwealth and our people.”
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