Buffalo Trace Distillery announced the filling of its nine millionth barrel of bourbon since Prohibition. This historic accomplishment comes on the heels of Buffalo Trace completing its decade long, $1.2 billion expansion project earlier this year, which has allowed the Distillery to achieve this landmark moment on a greatly accelerated timeline vs. prior millionth barrel milestones.

“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,” Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller, said in a news release. “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 1850’s.”

Bourbon distilling at the site now known as Buffalo Trace Distillery dates back to the 1770s, with formal operations beginning in the 1850s. During Prohibition, the George T. Stagg Distillery (as it was then known) remained one of the few allowed to produce whiskey for medicinal purposes, but official barrel counting began in 1933. Since then, the Distillery has celebrated multiple millionth barrel milestones – the first in 1942, followed by 1953, 1961, 1971, 1981, 2008, 2018, 2022, and now 2025.

“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,” Wheatley said. “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.”

While each millionth barrel reflects centuries of dedication to quality and tradition, the nine millionth marks a particularly significant chapter in Buffalo Trace Distillery’s history. In 2015, Sazerac initiated a $1.2 billion expansion project that touched nearly every facet of operations – from a new distribution center, bottling operation, upgraded cistern room and new boiler, dry, mill and still houses to 20 new fermentation tanks, three steam boilers and 19 new aging warehouses. Completed in January 2025, the project has increased the Distillery’s production capacity by 150%.

Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman 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.”

Keeping with tradition, the nine millionth barrel will be signed by team members and placed inside Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Warehouse V, the world’s only single barrel warehouse, where it will age until the filling of the ten millionth barrel. Distillery visitors are welcome to view the barrel inside Warehouse V during regular business hours and capture photos of this piece of bourbon history.

A ceremony celebrating this historic milestone was held on Monday, September 29 at 2:00pm ET. On hand to mark the occasion was 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.  

The filling of the nine millionth barrel comes less than three years after the filling of the eight millionth barrel, which happened in December 2022. The Distillery’s seven millionth barrel was filled four years prior to that in 2018.

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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.