Buffalo Trace Distillery announced the John G. Carlisle Cafe – a new, permanent dining option slated to open in Spring 2026 on the Distillery’s grounds. 

Named in honor of U.S. Congressman John G. Carlisle, a pivotal figure in both American spirits and Buffalo Trace Distillery’s history, the cafe will bring an entirely new visitor experience to guests looking to enjoy food and beverage on-site while visiting the Distillery.

Located on the first floor of the Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse, the John G. Carlisle Cafe is a 4,900-square-foot facility offering indoor and porch-seating capacity for 70 people. Primarily serving lunch, the menu features fresh, made to order items such as sandwiches, salads, soups and more, as well as a kid’s menu. Additionally, the John G. Carlisle Cafe will offer guests a limited cocktail menu featuring select Buffalo Trace products.

“The John G. Carlisle Cafe is an exciting new addition to the Buffalo Trace Distillery visitor experience, allowing our team to connect with guests in a brand new way,” Tyler Adams, General Manager, Buffalo Trace Distillery, said in a news release. “Offering permanent food and beverage options alongside our complimentary tours and tastings is a natural extension to the Distillery’s legacy of hospitality and craftsmanship. The Cafe will bring a welcoming space that celebrates our history and complements the authentic experience we are known for.”

Whether dining inside or on the porch, the John G. Carlisle Cafe will be the perfect spot for guests to stop before or after a Distillery tour, as well as for shoppers visiting the Buffalo Trace Gift Shop. Though open to the public, those looking to visit the John G. Carlisle Cafe for lunch will need to follow the Distillery’s check-in system inside the Freehouse welcome building located beside the visitor parking lot.

The Cafe’s namesake, John G. Carlisle, played a crucial role in the passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 – a landmark law that established quality and safety standards for American whiskey. To honor Carlisle’s contributions, Buffalo Trace Distillery forefather Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. named one of the two distilleries he built after him. 

Located alongside Taylor’s O.F.C. Distillery, The Carlisle Distillery was later managed by Albert B. Blanton, who renamed it the Kentucky River Distillery shortly before Prohibition. Though the distillery was demolished during the 1936 expansion to make way for the current mash house, its legacy endures.

A commemorative plaque and stone from the original Carlisle Distillery building, currently located on-site near Guardhouse 1, will be relocated to the flowerbed to the right of the John G. Carlisle Cafe entrance.

Construction of the John G. Carlisle Cafe is already under way, and the facility is slated to open in Spring 2026. Hours of operation will be announced closer to opening.

Read more: Buffalo Trace Launches Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Distiller’s Council

About Buffalo Trace Distillery    

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and it is a National Historic Landmark, as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its history includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site. Buffalo Trace Distillery has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Distillery’s efforts are encouraged to register their charity here. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.