Buffalo Trace is a working bourbon distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, open to the public for tours and tastings

Buffalo Trace Distillery sits on 130 acres along the Kentucky River in Frankfort. It has been operating continuously since 1787, making it one of the oldest distilleries in the United States. The distillery produces several bourbon brands under the Sazerac Company umbrella, including Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Pappy Van Winkle, and Antique Collection bourbons. Unlike some distilleries that are closed to visitors or require advance booking months ahead, Buffalo Trace offers walk-in tours most days of the week.

The distillery operates as both a working production facility and a tourist destination. You can watch bourbon being made, stored, and bottled during a tour. The grounds include a gift shop, tasting room, and restaurant. Tours are free, though tastings and merchandise cost money. The distillery is located at 113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, KY 40601.

Key Takeaways

  • Buffalo Trace offers free tours most days without requiring advance reservations, though tour times vary by season and day of the week.
  • The distillery produces multiple bourbon brands on-site, and tours show the mashing, fermenting, distilling, and barrel-aging process.
  • Tastings cost extra and are limited to visitors 21 and older with a valid ID; bourbon purchases are available in the gift shop.
  • The facility includes a restaurant, gift shop, and bourbon bar, so you can spend anywhere from one hour to a full day there.
  • Parking is free, and the grounds are accessible by car from downtown Frankfort, about 10 minutes away.

Tour schedules and what each tour includes

Buffalo Trace runs several tour options at different price points. The standard tour is free and lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. It covers the production process from grain to bottle, includes a walk through the barrel warehouse, and ends with a bourbon sample in the tasting room. Tours depart roughly every 30 minutes during operating hours, though exact timing depends on visitor volume.

Paid tours go deeper into the bourbon-making process. The Trace Tour costs more than the standard tour and includes a longer warehouse experience and additional tastings. The Hard Hat Tour, offered on select days, takes you into active production areas where you see distilling equipment and cooperage (barrel-making) in real time. Availability for paid tours changes seasonally, so check the website or call ahead before planning around a specific tour.

Tours run year-round, but hours shift between seasons. Summer typically offers more frequent departures than winter. The distillery closes on major holidays. If you arrive without a reservation, staff can tell you when the next available tour departs. During peak tourist season (May through October), arriving early in the day increases the chance of getting into a tour the same day.

What to bring and what to expect on the grounds

Bring a valid photo ID if you plan to taste bourbon. The distillery checks ID at the tasting room and will not allow anyone under 21 to participate in tastings, even if they are with an adult. Wear comfortable walking shoes — tours involve standing and walking through warehouse areas with uneven flooring and temperature changes. The barrel warehouses stay cooler than outdoor areas, so a light jacket is useful even in summer.

The distillery is a working facility, so some areas are off-limits for safety reasons. Tours stay on designated paths. If you have mobility concerns, let staff know when you arrive — some tour routes are less strenuous than others, and staff can suggest alternatives. The gift shop and tasting room are accessible without taking a tour, so you can visit those areas separately.

Parking is free in the lot near the visitor center. The grounds are large, but the main buildings are within walking distance of each other. Restrooms are available in the visitor center and near the restaurant. The on-site restaurant serves lunch and dinner and does not require a tour ticket to enter.

Tasting room and bourbon purchases

The tasting room is where you sample bourbon after a tour. Standard tours include one sample. Paid tours include multiple samples. If you want to taste without taking a tour, the tasting room sells flight tastings — small pours of several bourbons at once — for a set price. Flights typically include three to five different bourbons and cost between $10 and $25, depending on which bourbons are included.

The gift shop sells full bottles of Buffalo Trace bourbons and other Sazerac brands. Prices vary by bourbon age and rarity. Some bottles, like Pappy Van Winkle, are allocated — meaning the distillery produces limited quantities and sells them through a lottery system rather than over the counter. You cannot walk in and buy a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle; instead, the distillery holds an annual drawing for the chance to purchase allocated bourbons. Information about the lottery is available on the distillery website.

Nearby attractions and how to plan your visit

Buffalo Trace is in Frankfort, the state capital. Downtown Frankfort is about 10 minutes away by car and has restaurants, shops, and other bourbon distilleries. The Frankfort Distillery, Four Roses, and Woodford Reserve are all within 30 minutes of Buffalo Trace. If you plan to visit multiple distilleries in one day, start early and allow at least two hours per distillery.

The Capitol Avenue Historic District in downtown Frankfort includes the Kentucky State Capitol building, which offers tours. The Juniper Hill Park overlooks the Kentucky River and is a short drive from the distillery. If you are visiting Frankfort for bourbon tourism, a typical day involves one or two distillery tours, lunch, and time in the gift shop or tasting room.

The distillery is about 50 miles west of Lexington and 60 miles east of Louisville. If you are flying in, Lexington's airport is closer to Frankfort than Louisville's. The drive from Lexington to Buffalo Trace takes about an hour. There is no public transportation directly to the distillery, so a car is necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book a tour in advance?

No. Buffalo Trace accepts walk-in visitors and runs tours throughout the day without requiring reservations. However, during peak season (summer months), arriving early increases the chance of getting into a tour quickly. If you are visiting in winter or on a weekday, same-day tours are usually available with minimal wait.

Can I bring children on a tour?

Yes. Children can take the standard tour and walk through the production areas. They cannot participate in tastings, but they can stay with an adult during the tasting portion. Some families skip the tasting and focus on the production and warehouse parts of the tour.

What is the difference between Buffalo Trace and other Frankfort distilleries?

Buffalo Trace is the largest and oldest continuously operating distillery in Frankfort. It produces more bourbon brands than most competitors and offers more frequent tours. Other distilleries in the area, like Woodford Reserve, offer smaller-scale tours with more intimate experiences. Buffalo Trace is better for first-time visitors and those who want to see large-scale production.

Can I buy bourbon at the distillery that I cannot find in stores?

Some bourbons are sold only at the distillery gift shop, but most Buffalo Trace bourbons are available in liquor stores across Kentucky and nationwide. Allocated bourbons like Pappy Van Winkle are not sold over the counter; you must enter the annual lottery to purchase them. The gift shop staff can tell you which bottles are distillery-exclusive.

Is there a fee to park or enter the grounds?

Parking is free. The grounds are free to walk around. Tours are free, though paid tours cost extra. You only pay if you take a paid tour, buy tastings, purchase bourbon, or eat at the restaurant.