Withstanding the challenges of floods, fires and even Prohibition, Buffalo Hint Distillery has been a part of the story that has formed the American spirit business. Initially often known as the Previous Hearth Copper (O.F.C) Distillery, Buffalo Hint has historic roots courting again so far as 1775 when it was based by American pioneer Hancock Lee.
But, it wasn’t till 1812 that distillation started on the facility in Frankfort, Ky. In 1886, the distillery was named the George T. Stagg Distillery, honoring a person who would go on to change into a legend within the whiskey business. And greater than a century later in 1992, Sazerac Co. purchased the Kentucky River Distillery and renamed it Buffalo Hint Distillery in 1999, additional cementing the world’s repute as a middle of bourbon manufacturing whereas paying homage to the positioning and the area’s heritage and historical past.
Earlier this 12 months, Buffalo Hint was impacted by the heavy rains that hit the world, however in step with its motto of “timeless dedication to respecting the previous whereas fearlessly innovating for the longer term,” distillery manufacturing right this moment is uncompromised.
“April’s flood noticed the Kentucky River crest at simply over 48 ft, the very best within the Distillery’s historical past,” says Harlen Wheatley, grasp distiller at Buffalo Hint. “Flood waters affected sure buildings greater than others. These closest to the river, similar to Bourbon Pompeii seen on the Previous Taylor Tour, noticed flood waters attain near the first-floor ceiling. Others noticed ft or inches relying on location, and a few noticed no flooding in any respect.
“In complete, roughly 90% of the Distillery was underwater in some capability,” Wheatley continues. “No buildings acquired any exterior structural harm. Nevertheless, we did have inside harm to the Present Store and to our Eagle Uncommon Administrative Constructing. Moreover, a number of items of apparatus have been broken, similar to electrical management panels and quite a few cistern tanks and storage tanks.”
Though the Distillery paused manufacturing for about 4 weeks to permit for flood restoration, Wheatley credit the staff — greater than 200 individuals from exterior distributors and greater than 800 Distillery staff — who labored across the clock to wash up and make the required repairs for resuming manufacturing.
“The customer expertise at Buffalo Hint, nevertheless, was solely paused for about one week,” he explains. “Although in a restricted capability, the Distillery was in a position to welcome visitors again for a modified expertise that ran for about 4 weeks. As soon as manufacturing was again up and going, the customer expertise was in a position to resume regular tour operations.”
Wheatley provides that roughly six months faraway from the flooding, the Distillery is totally recovered from the flood and again higher than ever.
“On Sept. 29, the Distillery celebrated the filling of its 9 millionth barrel of bourbon since Prohibition,” he says. “This accomplishment comes two and a half years after filling the 8 millionth barrel and on the heels of the completion of the Distillery’s $1.2 billion enlargement venture (accomplished in January 2025), which has allowed the Distillery to realize this milestone second in document time.”
Assembly the demand
Confirmed to be adept within the artwork of whiskey-making, Buffalo Hint is not any stranger to the state of right this moment’s distilled spirits market.
“The market stays robust and continues to reveal rising curiosity, particularly globally,” Wheatley says. “Bourbon, particularly, stays a standout class that we consider is supported by client enthusiasm for premium and genuine manufacturers. Customers are exhibiting sustained curiosity in exploring spirits that honor historical past, custom and high quality.
“We consider right this moment’s shoppers are in search of authenticity, high quality, and a significant story behind the manufacturers they assist,” he continues. “There’s nonetheless a whole lot of discovery and schooling taking place round bourbon, each within the U.S. and all over the world. This enthusiasm for bourbon, which oftentimes is model new to shoppers, contributes to the expansion.”
So far as the market efficiency within the 12 months to come back, Wheatley anticipates nothing however continued progress.
“Talking for Buffalo Hint Distillery, the outlook for the 12 months forward is constructive and positioned for ongoing progress,” he explains. “We’re making extra whiskey than ever earlier than and are excited to share it with shoppers across the globe.”
Among the many Distillery’s huge portfolio of spirits, Wheatley considers Buffalo Hint Bourbon, its flagship model, to be fairly fashionable. “Nevertheless, we additionally see client curiosity in Blanton’s, Eagle Uncommon, E.H. Taylor, Jr. and Weller to call a number of,” he says.
This summer season, Buffalo Hint launched a better proof variation of Sazerac Rye Whiskey with the launch of Sazerac Rye Whiskey 100 Proof. Wheatley explains that what differentiates this selection from others within the Distillery’s portfolio is that it’s crafted to supply enhanced taste, versatility and management in cocktail creation.
“Sazerac Rye 100 Proof delivers a richer, extra structured whiskey that enhances quite than overwhelms the rye taste and stands up fantastically in each daring and traditional cocktails such because the Sazerac and the Manhattan,” he says.
Additionally launched this summer season was the second version of Weller Millennium and Weller 18 12 months Previous from its Authentic Wheated Bourbon model.
“We’re all the time taking a look at methods to innovate and the wheated mash invoice is an thrilling one for us to experiment with,” Wheatley says. “The motivation was to push the boundaries of maturation and mixing with wheat. Weller 18 being the discharge that explored maturation (18 years being the oldest age acknowledged whiskey within the Weller portfolio) and Weller Millenium 2 being the discharge that explored mixing (mixing liquid from barrels distilled in 2001, 2003 and 2006). Each showcase the spectacular versatility of wheat and honor the legacy of William Larue Weller who pioneered the wheated bourbon recipes.”
As a limited-edition launch, Buffalo Hint additionally crafted Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Distiller’s Council.
The inspiration for Distiller’s Council goes again to 1996, Wheatley says, when a bunch of bourbon visionaries and retired George T. Stagg Distillery craftsmen convened on the Distillery of their pursuit of making the world’s finest whiskey.
“As they sampled greater than 30 whiskeys throughout a variety of ages, mash payments and proofs, one voice lower via the room with a thought, ‘Effectively, we don’t make whiskey the best way we used to.’ This led to the Distiller’s Council unpacking the best way that whiskey was made once they first began their careers,” Wheatley explains. “That assembly, till now identified by bourbon insiders because the ‘Distiller’s Council’ resulted in a rediscovery of E.H. Taylor’s pioneering strategies that had been misplaced to historical past.
“From this assembly got here the revival of Taylor’s bitter mashing course of and, later, the creation of Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Distiller’s Council,” he continues. “We’re more than happy that this bourbon has been met with nice enthusiasm. It’s a limited-edition launch, however definitely one followers are enthusiastic about and desperate to strive.”
Increasing its attain
Apart from its enthusiasm for creating genuine, premium spirits, Buffalo Hint is all about giving again to the neighborhood it serves.
“In Might, Buffalo Hint Distillery launched the Pour it Ahead for Kentucky charity program, which raised greater than $160,000 to assist flood victims throughout Kentucky,” Wheatley says.
By partnering with BlockBar, 100% of the funds raised via the Pour it Ahead for Kentucky program went straight again to the neighborhood via the American Purple Cross and the Franklin County Flood Reduction Fund held on the Blue Grass Neighborhood Basis, he explains.
Wheatley additionally spotlights that, traditionally, the bottles yielded from the Distillery’s millionth barrel have been used towards charity fundraising. “We are going to quickly be bottling the 7 millionth barrel and sit up for what cash could be raised from that barrel,” he says.
Furthering client engagement, this October, the distillery introduced the launch of Buffalo Hint Distillery On Tour, a tasting and retail expertise coming to 4 U.S. cities: St. Louis, Kansas Metropolis, Jacksonville and Tampa.
“We have now lengthy sought to carry our story to those that can’t, or haven’t but, visited the Distillery,” Wheatley says. “Buffalo Hint Distillery On Tour permits us to satisfy our followers the place they’re to share our historical past, craftsmanship, and award-winning whiskies.
“Every cease on Buffalo Hint Distillery On Tour will supply a complete of 10 complimentary tasting experiences unfold out over 4 days with staggered afternoon and night time slots,” he continues. “Every session will characteristic a guided tasting lasting roughly 1.5 hours and a lineup of fashionable manufacturers together with Buffalo Hint Bourbon, Eagle Uncommon 10 12 months Previous, Weller Vintage 107, and the brand new Sazerac Rye 100 Proof. Visitors may also have the uncommon alternative to buy customized, city-specific barware obtainable solely on the expertise whereas provides final.”
Wheatley additionally factors to Night time on the Distillery — a Halloween occasion that includes self-guided excursions that includes ghostly tales and dwell leisure — as one other stand out advertising and marketing promotion that befell this October.
Tickets have been $35 an individual and included entry to the self-guided strolling path, three signature cocktail tastings, one neat pour and a curated snack field, Wheatley notes. Every visitor additionally may take dwelling a 1-liter bottle of Sazerac Rye 100 Proof and a collectible Night time on the Distillery reusable tote as keepsakes, he says.
Transferring ahead, Buffalo Hint is slated to open a everlasting eating choice in spring of 2026, providing meals and beverage choices alongside its complimentary excursions and tastings.
“There’s a pure connection between meals and spirits tastings, and we’re excited for guests to additional join with our manufacturers on this manner,” Wheatley explains. “The Cafe will carry a welcoming house that celebrates our historical past and enhances the genuine expertise we’re identified for.”
And, so far as targets for the distillery within the 12 months to come back, Wheatley says, “We’re excited to completely make the most of every thing that comes with the Distillery enlargement, which can enable us to extend our barrel output.
“As we produce extra, we additionally have to age extra whiskey,” he continues. “We’re excited to proceed constructing extra warehouses and develop our warehouse operations. Moreover, we sit up for creating new merchandise for future shoppers.”
