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4 days ago
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300 people in line? How hard-to-find bourbons made Buffalo Trace Distillery a cult favorite
FRANKFORT — By the time the doors opened at 9 a.m. on a recent Friday, at least 300 guests were already waiting outside Buffalo Trace Distillery. As people snaked through the queue, my mind wandered to the excitement around the midnight release of "The Phantom Menace" in 1999 or the seventh "Harry Potter" book in 2007. Make no mistake, this is a cultural phenomenon for bourbon lovers. But it was also just another day at the Kentucky bourbon distillery. Without fail, a few hundred people appear every morning at Buffalo Trace, 113 Great Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, eager to purchase a bottle of Blanton's ($74.99), E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch ($59.99), Eagle Rare ($42.99) or Weller Special Reserve ($30). All four bottles are difficult to find on liquor store shelves, but if you head to the distillery gift shop in the morning, usually at least one of them will be available for purchase. Lately, they've had more than one available, which up until the last six months or so would have been like scoring tickets to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and the Superbowl in the same day. Amid a heatwave in late June, I spotted a strong mix of license plates in the parking lot. Some folks had traveled from as far as Illinois, Pennsylvania and Florida for a chance to purchase four relatively hard-to-find bottles of bourbon. One man lugged a camp chair and a laptop from his car and he settled into a spot about 30-deep into the line. He'd clearly done this before. Josh Crom, who works at a liquor store in Madison, Wisconsin, was posted up at the front of the line with five of his buddies from college. Even with his connections in alcohols sales, he told me he can't find a reasonably priced bottle of Blanton's in Wisconsin to add to his personal collection. The best way to nab one is to travel 500 miles to Buffalo Trace, and hope it's one of the allocated spirits while he's in town. This was the group's second bourbon trip together, and they had one bourbon enthusiast with them who knew this line phenomenon well. But there are rules to this ritual. Each Buffalo Trace shopper is only allowed one bottle of each of these allocated spirits per visit. There are plenty of digital tools that guess what might be for sale on the day you're going, but you'll never really know for sure until the morning of your visit. Once you buy one of these rare yet attainable bourbons, in most cases, you must wait another 90 days to purchase that label again from Buffalo Trace. The gift shop staff scans driver's licenses to ensure no visitor is taking more than their fair share. More: The 'Pied Piper of bottled-in-bond' bourbon is retiring. Here's what his legacy means And the more I've watched this phenomenon and, candidly, even participated in it myself over the years, the more I've wondered, why? Chuck Guglielmo, the owner of Unfiltered KY Tours, told me that 'it's a big deal to take something home from Buffalo Trace.' The Frankfort distillery is by far the most frequently requested among his bourbon clients. There's something different about Buffalo Trace that breeds an undeniable loyalty. While the line ebbs and flows in size along with the bourbon tourism season, it's become a staple at the distillery. This summer I decided to figure out why. Why is Buffalo Trace bourbon so hard to find? One thing that's even more remarkable than the daily spectacle is that Buffalo Trace never set out to have a line like this at all. 'This is a making of the consumers own desire,' Matt Higgins, Buffalo Trace's director of guest experiences, told me. 'We didn't encourage anybody to line up.' The fandom really began picking up in 2013 alongside the Kentucky bourbon boom, Higgins explained. The launch of the period drama "Mad Men" in 2007 gave bourbon an air of sophistication, and a dynamic marketing push in the beginning of the 21st century boosted the bourbon travel industry. Up until that point, Buffalo Trace could usually keep some aged spirits on the shelf throughout the day. That year, Higgins specifically recalls a customer who tried to buy a whole case of Eagle Rare. He realized that if every guest tried to do that, more and more people would leave the distillery disappointed. So that's how the one bottle per day rule was born. 'We implemented daily limits, and that wasn't enough to handle the demand verse the supply we were getting,' Higgins told me. 'There were days where we'd sell out of every bit of aged product we had.' More: Here are 6 new Kentucky bourbon, whiskey releases you need to know about this month In 2015, Buffalo Trace launched a decade-long, $1.2 billion expansion project aimed at ramping up its inventory to meet consumer demand. All the while, more and more fans began calling the distillery trying to pinpoint what day that week Blanton's would be on the gift shop shelves. When the distillery staff noticed that they were seeing the same faces day-after-day, they implemented the 90-day rule on Blanton's in early 2020. The crowds had been coming to Buffalo Trace for years at that point, but it was really the COVID-19 pandemic that created the formality of the line. The 90-day rule eventually expanded to include Eagle Rare, E.H. Taylor and Weller, too. If Higgins had it his way, no one would ever leave Buffalo Trace without their favorite bottle of bourbon, but since the aged spirits take years to complete, it's taken more than a decade for the supply to even closely reach the demand inside the the gift shop. 'You're starting to see the impact of that investment show up on the shelves,' Higgins told me. 'This is the very start of that shifting tide.' In the last six months or so, Higgins told me, they've had enough of a supply to occasionally offer 'holidays' from the 90-day rule. As the stock has increased, most days guests have a chance to purchase at least two of the allocated spirits, if not three or all four. Lately the highly sought-after bottles are available into the early afternoon. Somedays, the aged bourbon stays on shelves all day, which would have been unthinkable just two years ago. 'I'm the head of hospitality and I hate saying no to people,' Higgins told me. 'So now we're seeing the flip side of it, and a lot of surprise and delight opportunities.' What bourbon is available today at Buffalo Trace? There is no shortage of Buffalo Trace fan groups on the internet, but perhaps one of the most well-known is Buffalo Trace Daily. Its website and social media pages announce the spirits available each day and use an algorithm to break down the odds on what might be on the shelves the next day. For example, the morning The Courier Journal visited the distillery in June Buffalo Trace Daily projected a 53.27% chance for Weller, 34.35% for E.H. Taylor, 11.69% for Eagle Rare and 0.69% for Blanton's. Mike Danhauer of Lexington is the mastermind behind the method, and he has about four years of data driving his predictions. Danhauer is not a social media enthusiast by any means, he said. He's more of a numbers guy. Most days he can't believe that his data project annually draws in hundreds of thousands of visitors to his website and more than a million views. People are really into the culture around Buffalo Trace, though. More: International Wine & Spirits Competition says these are the best North American whiskeys 'Pretty much the only way you can find Blanton's and E.H. Taylor is either a secondary person or going to the distillery and getting it at retail price,' he told me, when we spoke over the phone in the days before my visit. 'There is definitely a thrill of the hunt.' Blanton's — with its elegant, round bottle and eight gold collectable toppers, which spell out B-L-A-N-T-O-N'-S — tends to be the big prize among visitors, Guglielmo told me. So much so, that he takes extra precautions with his tour vehicles in the hottest months of the year to ensure the regal wax seals don't melt and ruin the bottle. 'All the (allocated) products are entry level to becoming a bourbon connoisseur, they have name recognition,' he explained, as he talked me through what he has learned from his tour guests. 'They've heard so many people say that Blanton's is their favorite kind of bourbon, that it turns into a bit of an echo chamber.' A few weeks ago, I unwittingly found a reference to Blanton's in Season 1 Episode 7 of NBC's "Blindspot." After a character is freed from FBI detainment, he turns to his girlfriend and says 'Well, I think it's time we open that Blanton's your uncle gave you." That off-hand comment subtly nods to the celebratory and rare nature of the spirit. That same level of intrigue builds when bourbon newcomers hear their friends talk about trying to collect all eight toppers. Many of Guglielmo's tour guests have friends and family who encourage them to bring home a bottle of Blanton's. That rhetoric adds to the elusiveness of the products and the appeal of the brand. 'They've done such a good job with marketing and with word of mouth,' Guglielmo told me. 'It's built such a cult following that people know what to do.' 'It's so exciting' The Buffalo Trace cult following hasn't entirely shifted its habits to match this relatively new surge in supply. Even though the shelves tend to stay stocked into the early afternoon, a couple hundred people or so still line up most mornings in the summer. Many folks make Buffalo Trace their first stop in a day packed with bourbon tours. The distillery rarely offers the same allocated spirit two days in a row, which can encourage one final stop at the distillery as visitors head out of town. Some, like Chris Russey, are relatively local and build in time to stop by the distillery on their way to somewhere else. He lives in Lexington, but this summer he's teaching college algebra and pre-calculus at Kentucky State University in Frankfort. He's waited in the line at least 30 times over the years, he told me as he sat in a camp chair and worked from his laptop. He's already collected all eight Blanton's toppers. Once he drinks his way through those bottles, he's eligible for a coveted prize. If he returns his toppers to the distillery, Buffalo Trace will mount them on a handsome looking bourbon stave and ship it to his home. The stave is a tell-tale sign of a Buffalo Trace fan. More: 5 industry-shaping names will join the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. Meet the 2025 class Needless to say, he already had enough Blanton's in his collection, he told me, smiling. His stock is large enough at this point that he'd had the chance to buy the highly sought-after product the day before and opted not to. The morning we met, he was hoping for Eagle Rare. A little further back, Richard and Lyndsi McDermitt of Grove City, Ohio, were three-time veterans of the line, and this time they'd traveled with their aunt and uncle, Rosemary and Mark Weiher. The reason for the trip was simple. 'It's superb,' Mark Weiher said excitedly. 'It's perfect. It's the best.' 'I like the whole drop thing,' Lynsdi McDermitt continued, referring to the mystery behind the availability. 'It's so exciting, it's like 'what are we going to get?'" They'd been hoping for Eagle Rare in the days leading up to their trip, but the ever-growing rumor mill among fans at the campground where they were staying had tempered their expectations. Perhaps, rightfully so. A few minutes later, word trickled down the line that E.H. Taylor and Weller Special Reserve were the allocations for the day. I grinned as I heard this. Buffalo Trace Daily's prediction for that morning was spot on. The Grove City Group wasn't too disappointed, though. They only know of one liquor store back home that sometimes has Buffalo Trace products, and those don't last long on the shelves. They were going to come home with more Buffalo Trace products from one day of waiting in line than they'd be able to find all year. Although, candidly, they expected at least one of the bottles wouldn't make it back to Ohio. 'We'll probably be sharing it around the campground,' Mark Weiher said. As the doors opened and the line started moving at 9 a.m., I followed the crowd past the check-in and into the gift shop. This part of the ritual is always a little jaw-dropping for me. Having only ever found one bottle of E.H. Taylor outside of the distillery, it's almost jarring to stand in a room packed with hundreds of its signature yellow canisters. A bourbon fan could check every liquor story in the state and still come up empty handed. But here at the distillery, you're right in the center of the motherload. More: Looking for something to do? Check out 11 events in the Courier Journal's Late Summer Guide And while Higgins says the growing supply will eventually make the line at the distillery and the culture around it obsolete, for the moment, the die-hard fandom is evident every day on the distillery grounds. When I left the distillery at 9:45 a.m., there were still more than 100 people waiting. Hundreds more would trickle into the gift shop throughout the rest of the day. It's like Guglielmo said, 'it's a big deal to bring something home from Buffalo Trace.' And as I watched clearly thrilled fans stream out of the distillery and load those coveted yellow canisters into cars from Pennsylvania, Florida and Wisconsin, I couldn't help but agree with him. Reach features columnist Maggie Menderski at mmenderski@ This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Buffalo Trace bourbon whiskey for sale at Kentucky distillery Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Buffalo Trace Debuts Two New Bourbons In Its William L Weller Range
The new Weller 18 YO from Buffalo Trace Photo, courtesy Buffalo Trace Distillery On the eve of the centenary of William LaRue Weller's birth, Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced two new additions to its Weller lineup: the second edition of Weller Millennium, a blend of vintage wheated bourbons and wheat whiskeys, and Weller 18-Year-Old, now the oldest age-stated expression in the brand's history. Below is a brief background and tasting notes on the two new additions to Buffalo Trace's Weller range. Both bottlings continue the distillery's commitment to wheat-based whiskey. The tradition dates back to 1847 when William Larue Weller chose to use wheat instead of rye in his mash bill. That decision resulted in a smoother, softer whiskey that stood apart from the bolder, spicier styles of the day, heralding the beginning of wheated bourbons. These new expressions build on that legacy, exploring how wheat evolves with extended aging and careful blending. Weller 18-Year-Old marks a milestone as the oldest whiskey to carry the Weller name. Bottled at 90 proof, this ultra-aged wheat whiskey showcases the softer side of extended maturation, highlighting how wheat-based bourbon, when handled carefully, can retain its elegance and sophistication over time. 'This whiskey reflects the patience and precision we apply to every step of the process,' said Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. 'Wheat can fade with age, but here it has developed into something remarkably nuanced and expressive.' According to Wheatley, the whisky features 'aged fruit and a hint of tobacco' on the nose. The palate offers 'a mix of baking spice and crisp green pear, with a finish that lingers without overwhelming.' Weller 18 is housed in a 700ml crystal decanter, topped with the same hand-etched stopper used in the Millennium release, though without the accompanying display case. It will first appear in select international airport retail shops, including LAX, JFK, and London Heathrow, starting in July 2025. The suggested retail price is $499 for a 700ml bottle. The Weller Millenium #2 Photo, courtesy Buffalo Trace Distillery Following the debut release in May 2024, the second edition of Weller Millennium features a new blend of straight wheated bourbons and wheat whiskeys distilled in 2001, 2003, and 2006. All were produced at Buffalo Trace and set aside specifically for this limited series. The result is a whiskey with depth, character, and a layered complexity that reflects both time and intention. The mash bill for the Weller Millennium #2 is not disclosed. As it's a blend of wheated bourbon and wheated whiskey, it's unlikely to qualify as a bourbon. 'This second release goes even further than the first,' said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director. 'By working with barrels from the early 2000s, we're not just blending whiskey—we're revisiting a moment in our history.' According to the distillery, Weller Millennium #2 opens with 'notes of dark cherry, butterscotch, and vanilla, with oak taking the lead on a long, warming finish.' The whiskey is bottled at 99 proof (49.5% ABV). It's presented in a custom crystal decanter etched with Weller's original 'W' mark, accompanied by a lit display case that highlights the whiskey's components and their respective distillation years. Only a limited number of bottles will be available starting July 2025 through Sazerac's domestic and international distribution partners, as well as at the distillery and via Legacy de Forge, Sazerac's direct-to-consumer platform powered by Blockbar. The suggested retail price is $7,500, with local taxes varying. For more information on how to obtain these two new bourbons, see the Buffalo Trace website. More From Forbes Forbes America's Top-Rated Wheated Bourbons And Whiskeys: Smooth, Bold And Affordable By Joseph V Micallef Forbes The World's Best Wheated Bourbon, According To The San Francisco World Spirits Competition By Joseph V Micallef Forbes Want Alternatives To Pappy And Weller? 10 Top-Ranked Wheated Bourbons By Joseph V Micallef
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Buffalo Trace Releases New 100-Proof Sazerac Rye
Produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery, Sazerac Rye's first line extension in years is a nod to the rising demand for more intense, cocktail-ready whiskeys. Courtesy: Sazerac In the ever-evolving world of American whiskey, proof is more than just a number on a label—it's a signal. For bartenders, it's about structure. For collectors, it's about character. And for everyday drinkers, it's increasingly about intensity. With the debut of Sazerac Rye Whiskey 100 Proof, Buffalo Trace is responding to all three groups in one move, offering a stronger expression of a rye that already occupies a storied place behind the bar. The July 2025 announcement from Frankfort, KY marks the first major evolution of the core Sazerac Rye in years, and while a ten-point bump in proof might seem incremental, the implications are not. This release isn't just a higher-octane version of the familiar 90-proof rye. It represents a clear acknowledgment that the market has shifted—toward bigger flavors, bolder builds, and the rising expectations of bartenders crafting serious cocktails. 'Bartenders have increasingly embraced 100 proof ryes for the balance, strength and versatility they provide,' said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery, in a statement. 'Sazerac Rye 100 Proof offers greater control over flavor and balance, empowering creativity behind the bar.' For cocktail professionals building multi-ingredient drinks where a number of flavors jockey for position, 100 proof is fast becoming the sweet spot. It's a signal to bartenders that a whiskey can handle mixing without getting lost, especially in classics like the Manhattan or, naturally, the Sazerac. It's no coincidence that this new expression joins the Sazerac Barrel Select (SBS) program, offering bars the opportunity to put their own stamp on a single barrel of this higher-proof rye. The original Sazerac Rye has long had a loyal following, thanks to its spicy, dry profile and value-driven pricing. It's a gateway rye for many, and a workhorse for bars that want a reliable, flavorful base spirit. But in recent years, demand has swelled for rye whiskeys that offer more power and presence. With Sazerac Rye 100 Proof, Buffalo Trace is effectively acknowledging that the training wheels can come off. Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley describes the new release as being built with bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts in mind. 'We focused on ensuring this higher-proof spirit delivers complexity and structure without losing its signature profile,' he said in a statement. That promise seems to hold up on the palate: candied spice, citrus, and the signature rye pepper come through with more clarity and weight. The result is a bottle that feels calibrated for the realities of the modern bar, while still able to hold up to being tasted neat. At $29.99 for a 1-liter bottle, this release also speaks to access, which has always been an important aspect of Buffalo Trace's marketing plays. From releases like their new Eagle Rare 12, to their line of George T. Stagg, to one-offs like the new E.H. Taylor, Buffalo Trace has always kept a close eye on keeping supply tight. The sense of rarity consistently sparks customer intrigue and keeps prices high—so the fact that the new Sazerac Rye 100 Proof is being put out at this price point speaks to the brand's confidence in the demand for a bar-ready, budget-conscious whiskey for consumers looking for high-proof spirits. It's an interest that shows no sign of slowing.
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
These Are The Best Bourbons Of 2025 (So Far)
Here are a few of the bourbons taking hope the top prizes this year at the world's biggest spirit competitions. Sophia Lindenberger Let's get one thing straight right off the bat—there are a ton of great bourbons out there right now. From everyday shelf staples to unicorn bottles that drive aficionados into a frenzy, 2025 has been yet another incredible year for bourbon lovers. It seems that everywhere you turn, America's homegrown spirit is making its presence felt in force. Drink menus feature bourbon cocktails, and back bars are brimming with bottles, while liquor store shelves are overflowing. However, with so many choices, finding a truly exceptional pour can feel overwhelming. Luckily, we've got a cheat sheet: the annual spirits competitions. Each year, thousands of bourbons are blind tasted by expert judges from around the globe. If a bottle rises to the top at one of these events, you know it's worth your time—and your glass. Here's a roundup of the bourbons that have wowed the most rigid panels in the business this year, so far. If this is just the first half of the year, I'm eager to see what the next six months have in store. Enjoy. Award: Spirit of the Year, Whiskey of the Year, and Best Spirit by Quality – 2025 London Spirits Competition (LSC) When a single bourbon cleans house across multiple categories like this, you pay attention. Weller Antique 107 isn't new to bourbon fans; it's a wheated powerhouse from the Buffalo Trace team that has earned a cult following due to its sweet flavors, which pair perfectly with its 107-proof bottling. Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition Bourbon Award: World's Best Bourbon – 2025 World Whiskies Awards (WWA) Old Fitz is no stranger to accolades, but this year's 25th Anniversary release took things to another level. A limited-release bottling that commemorates the year independent bourbon powerhouse Heaven Hill purchased the brand, it's a wheated bourbon that's elegant, complex, and rooted in tradition. Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Traditional Barrel Series Wheated Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) As part of Heaven Hill's push to highlight its grain sourcing and transparency, this wheated bourbon made an impression in San Francisco. It's a thoughtful whiskey that still packs a punch despite its heavy wheat mash bill, and it helped Heaven Hill rack up a jaw-dropping ten Double Golds overall. It's also a finalist for the competition's coveted World's Best Whiskey Award. Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon Award: Straight Bourbon of the Year – 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards This one's another Heaven Hill brand and a personal favorite of mine. The twice-barreled expression is an exceptional Small Batch Bourbon that offers a toasted barrel finish, adding an extra layer of richness and spice that complements Elijah Craig's base profile beautifully. Green River Full Proof Bourbon Award: Small Batch Bourbon of the Year – 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards Relaunched in 2016, Green River Whiskey holds one of Kentucky's oldest distilling licenses and is on the rise. Its first expressions were released in 2022, and this full-proof bottling proves why it should be sought out. It's bold, it's well-balanced, and it's an absolute steal for the quality it delivers. You can expect to hear more about this distillery. 1792 Aged 12 Years Straight Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 SFWSC Launched in 2002, the 1792 brand has steadily built a reputation for quality and craftsmanship, racking up awards along the way. This 12-year expression is a perfect example of what they do best: craft deep, mature bourbons loaded with flavor. It's Double Gold confirms that it's a game changer, and it would be a perfect addition to any collection. 15 STARS First West Extra Aged Straight Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 SFWSC For the last few years, 15 STARS has been pulling in numerous accolades for their exceptional bourbons, and this bottle shows they aren't resting on their laurels. Made from a blend of bourbons aged 15, 9, and 7 years, it's a beauty that took home a Double Gold at the SFWSC and is in the running to take home the event's top prize. Augusta Distillery Buckner's 15-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 SFWSC, Double Gold-New York International Spirits Competition Buckner's has been quietly building a reputation for its amazing, limited-release bourbons. This 15-year Single Barrel is bottled at cask strength and stood out to judges at multiple events this year due to its bold, rich, and deep flavors. 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirits Co. Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 SFWSC Colorado bourbon is no joke, I should know, I lived there for two decades. Distilled high in the Rocky Mountains in the legendary ski town of Vail, 10th Mountain brings altitude and attitude to the table. This award for their mainline bourbon demonstrates that they are crafting some truly exceptional liquid that drinkers should seek out. Frank August Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) Based in Kentucky, Frank August operates more like an independent curator than a traditional distillery. They source top-tier whiskey and finish it with meticulous attention to detail and elegance. Their Small Batch Bourbon reminds you why the category exists. Each bottle is brimming with flavors, earning an almost perfect score of 98 points at the IWSC. W.L. Weller 12 Year Bourbon Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 IWSC One of the most sought-after wheated bourbons out there, the liquid inside spends twelve years aging to maturity before it is deemed worthy of release. A smooth sipper, it was one of five bourbons to earn Gold Outstanding at the IWSC this year and is a finalist for its Whiskey of the Year award. King's Family Tennessee Standard Bourbon Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 IWSC Tennessee is often overlooked in the bourbon world, even though it's home to one of the world's largest whiskey brands, Jack Daniel's. But it would be a mistake to write off the Volunteer State; some great bourbons are made there. This bottle from relative newcomer King's Family is crafted with a 99% corn mash bill that has been aged for six years, resulting in an elegant liquid that makes a compelling case for Tennessee bourbon. Praedictum 15-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 IWSC This rare bourbon was created by Bill Foley, the owner of the NHL Las Vegas Golden Knights, to celebrate their Stanley Cup victory. But don't think of it as a gimmick bottling, Foley is a legend in the wine industry and has been crafting superb bourbon under his Charles Goodnight Whiskey brand for almost a decade. Only 600 cases of this 112-proof barrel strength award winner were made. Hudson Bright Lights, Big Bourbon Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 IWSC For over two decades, Hudson Whiskey has been crafting great bourbons in the most unlikely of places, New York. Bright Lights, Big Bourbon is distilled from New York corn and aged for a minimum of three years in new charred American oak barrels. The resultant liquid is full of grain-forward flavors with a sweet finish. A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon Batch #4 Award: Best Bourbon & Best American Whiskey – 2025 International Whisky Competition (IWC) Virginia's oldest distillery hit a home run with this one. At over 97 points, it nearly took Whisky of the Year finishing second at one of the most prestigious events out there, the International Whisky Competition. Bottled at 139.7 proof, it is a cask-strength bomb that quickly sold out in an online lottery the distillery held in early 2025. If you can find a bottle, grab it; it's sure to become a collector's item. King's Family Distillery Wheated Bourbon Award: Double Gold (96 pts) – 2025 NYISC Another win for King's Family, showing they're not a one-hit wonder. This wheated expression is made from a mash bill of 51% corn, 45% wheat, and 4% malted barley, and was aged for at least four years before bottling. It's a soft, sweet bourbon that's readily available in the market. Jefferson's Bourbon Ocean Aged At Sea Voyage 31 Award: Double Gold (96 pts) – 2025 NYISC Jefferson's Bourbon founder, Trey Zoeller, has been called the mad scientist of bourbon due to his refusal to follow the rules. His most fantastic idea was to pack up his bourbon and send it across the planet, ageing inside custom containers on ships to create something unheard of before he did it. Well, it worked, and his Ocean's lineup has been turning heads since. Voyage 31 has yet to be released, but it's sure to deliver something special. Garrison Brothers Guadalupe Bourbon Award: Double Gold (96 pts) – 2025 NYISC As one of the leaders in the surging Texas bourbon market, Garrison Brothers is renowned for crafting exceptional releases that showcase the distinct character of the Lone Star State. It's Guadalupe Bourbon spent four years in American oak and then finished for two years in imported port casks. The final liquid is rich, round, and filled with fruit flavors. Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon Award: Best of Class Bourbon – 2025 ADI International Spirits Competition This highly regarded finished bourbon from Joseph Magnus is celebrated for its complex layering of flavors. That's due to its marriage of different bourbons aged in Armagnac, Sherry, and Cognac casks separately before being blended into a sumptuous bottling. Being named Best of Class Bourbon only validates that it is something special. Follow here for the most up to date information about the ever changing beer, wine and spirits industry. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes How To Read A Bourbon Label By Hudson Lindenberger Forbes Athletic Brewing's Non-Alcoholic Beer Boom: Big Growth Ahead By Hudson Lindenberger Forbes Matthew And Camila McConaughey's Pantalones Tequila Goes Global By Hudson Lindenberger
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Icons Of Whiskey: George T. Stagg— Bourbon's Visionary
George T Stagg is an Icon of Whiskey Photo, courtesy Sazerac/Buffalo Trace George T. Stagg is a legendary and influential figure in American whiskey history—a towering presence, both literally and figuratively, in the 19th-century bourbon industry. Stagg's name, now linked with quality and innovation, also serves as the brand for one of America's premium whiskeys. From humble beginnings to his transformative role in one of Kentucky's most iconic industries, Stagg's influence continues to resonate today, making him an Icon of Whiskey. George Thomas Stagg was born in 1835 in Garrard County, near Lancaster, Kentucky. Little is known about his early years. He married Elizabeth Doolan in 1858. The couple settled in Richmond, Kentucky, where George was employed as a traveling shoe salesman. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, George enlisted in the Union Army, serving in the 21st Kentucky Infantry Regiment. He rose from enlisted man to the rank of Captain. In 1863, he was appointed an Aide-de-Camp to General Ambrose Burnside. In 1865, following the end of the war, he relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, and began his career in the whiskey industry. Stagg formed a partnership with James Gregory, creating Gregory & Stagg, Commercial Merchants & Distillers' Agents. A bottle of George T Stagg, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Photo, courtesy Buffalo Trace Distillery In the late 1860s, Stagg's growing interest in the bourbon business led him to Frankfort, Kentucky, the heart of bourbon country where he forged a relationship with E.H. Taylor, Jr. Taylor was a key figure in the bourbon industry and founder of the O.F.C. Distillery (Old Fire Copper) and the adjacent Carlisle Distillery. Taylor was a brilliant distiller but had recurring financial difficulties due to the capital-intensive nature of whiskey production. His financial problems were aggravated by a nationwide economic downturn in 1873. In 1877, Taylor declared bankruptcy, prompting Stagg and Gregory to step in as financiers and partners. When Taylor was forced to sell the two distilleries in 1878, Stagg organized the E.H. Taylor Jr company to acquire them. He retained approximately 70% of the stock in the new company and distributed the remaining balance to Taylor. Stagg was appointed president, and Taylor vice president and head distiller. Under Stagg's ownership, the distillery flourished, experiencing significant growth. He modernized operations, expanding production capacity and implementing cutting-edge technologies, such as steam heating of the warehouses. Stagg's warehouses were the first climate-controlled facilities for aging bourbon in the US. He also developed an efficient and scalable aging process, improved record-keeping and quality control standards, thereby creating the consistency that consumers expected in premium bourbon. He continued producing the O.F.C. Bourbon brand. After Prohibition, the brand name was changed to Old Stagg. Taylor had a contentious relationship with Stagg. In 1886, Taylor left the company, trading his shares for ownership of another distillery that Stagg had acquired. That distillery would become the Old Taylor Distillery. In 1890, the company's name was changed to George T. Stagg & Company. In 1904, it was changed again to The George T Stagg Distillery. Stagg was a key player in shaping the post-Civil War bourbon industry. He helped transform bourbon from a regional product into a nationally recognized spirit by establishing an extensive distribution network, particularly in the Midwest and South. His knack for sales and logistics, paired with Kentucky's reputation for quality whiskey, proved an unbeatable combination. The Stagg Distillery's Legacy The George T. Stagg Distillery was one of the most modern and well-regarded whiskey operations in Kentucky by the late 19th century. Though Stagg died in 1893, at the relatively young age of 58, his name remained closely associated with the distillery. In the early 20th century, the distillery overcame significant financial challenges. They survived Prohibition by obtaining one of only six licenses in the U.S. to sell 'medicinal whiskey.' In the decades following Stagg's death, the distillery changed hands and names several times. By the mid-20th century, it became part of the Ancient Age Distillery. Then, in 1992, it was purchased by Buffalo Trace Distillery, a subsidiary of the Sazerac Company. Recognizing the rich history of the site and its historical figures, Buffalo Trace would go on to revitalize its legacy brands, including one that would cement George T. Stagg's name in whiskey lore. The Buffalo Trace Distillery was once known as the George T Stagg distillery. Photo, courtesy Buffalo Trace Distillery The George T. Stagg Brand and Buffalo Trace Distillery In 2002, the Buffalo Trace Distillery released a high-proof, unfiltered bourbon named George T. Stagg. It was part of its Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC). This release was meant to honor Stagg's enduring impact on the industry and his contributions to the success of the historic distillery. Each fall, the George T. Stagg bourbon is released in limited quantities, aged for 15 to 19 years, and bottled at barrel proof (often above 120 proof). It quickly gained a cult following among whiskey enthusiasts, winning numerous awards, including 'World's Best North American Whiskey' and frequent placements in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible . It has also been a consistent medalist at international spirit competitions. Buffalo Trace's Stagg bourbon is robust, with a layered complexity that features dark cherry, leather, molasses, and charred oak. It's bold and rich on the palate, with layers of vanilla, brown sugar, dark chocolate, and baking spice. The finish is long and intense with a smoky sweetness. Its limited availability and high quality have made it a sought-after bottle on the secondary market, often fetching prices many times above its official retail cost. Today, the distillery once known as the George T. Stagg Distillery operates as Buffalo Trace Distillery, located in Frankfort, Kentucky. It is one of the oldest continually operating distilleries in the United States and has received countless accolades for its production excellence and preservation of bourbon heritage. The distillery is owned by the Sazerac Company, a privately held American alcoholic beverage company headquartered in New Orleans. Sazerac has embraced the history of its properties, including honoring figures like George T. Stagg and E.H. Taylor Jr. with dedicated labels in its prestigious lineup. Buffalo Trace produces a range of other highly regarded whiskies, including Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Blanton's, E.H. Taylor Small Batch, and Stagg Jr. The latter, now called Stagg, is a more accessible companion to George T. Stagg bourbon. Legacy and Influence George T. Stagg may have lived in the 19th century, but his influence continues to shape the bourbon industry in the 21st century. He exemplified the importance of marrying sound business management with a commitment to quality. That professionalism is now a trademark of the American whiskey industry. His name, once affixed to a Kentucky distillery, now stands for bold, uncompromising bourbon that has helped usher American whiskey's modern revival. The annual release of George T. Stagg bourbon remains a benchmark event for collectors and connoisseurs alike. It pays homage to a man whose vision transformed a regional spirit into a national treasure. Though not well known outside whiskey circles, George Stagg's legacy is monumental. Without his foresight and investment, one of Kentucky's most storied distilleries might never have survived the 19th century. Thanks to him and the modern revival of his name as a whiskey brand, Stagg remains an enduring symbol of American whiskey excellence and a true Icon of Whiskey. More From Forbes Forbes Icons Of Whiskey: Elijah Craig — The Father Of Bourbon By Joseph V Micallef Forbes Icons Of Whiskey: Jacob Beam's Bourbon Dynasty By Joseph V Micallef Forbes America's Top-Rated Wheated Bourbons And Whiskeys: Smooth, Bold And Affordable By Joseph V Micallef
