=FRANKFORT, Yy. — Kentucky’s busiest bourbon producer is packing its tasting glasses and heading to travelers instead of waiting for them to show up in Frankfort. Beginning in October, Buffalo Trace Distillery will launch a four-city roadshow designed to re-create its high-demand visitor experience for drinkers in St. Louis, Kansas City, Jacksonville and Tampa.
The Kentucky distillery comes to you
Distillery tourism is booming in the Bluegrass State. The Kentucky Distillers’ Association counted 2.7 million visits along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 2024, the third straight year attendance has topped the 2 million mark. Buffalo Trace, owned by Sazerac and responsible for more than 1,000 spirits awards in recent years, routinely books out guided tours weeks in advance at its Frankfort campus. To ease the pressure—and test a new way of courting fans—the company created Buffalo Trace Distillery On Tour. The concept is simple: take the signature tasting session on the road, offer it free of charge and deliver the same storytelling that usually requires a trip to central Kentucky.
What to expect at Buffalo Trace Distillery On Tour
Each stop runs four consecutive days and offers 10 complimentary sessions, all ticketed in advance. Groups will spend about 90 minutes with an expert host who weaves distillery history, production insight and tasting technique into a seated flight that mirrors the core experience in Frankfort. Line-up for the pour:
- Buffalo Trace Bourbon
- Weller Antique 107
- Eagle Rare 10 Year
- Sazerac Rye 100 Proof (newly released)
Travelers can also shop exclusive, city-specific barware after the tasting—an added perk for souvenir hunters who like to travel light but bring home something memorable.
Why Buffalo Trace is going mobile
The bourbon boom has shifted from simple production stories to immersive brand experiences. American whiskey exports dipped 5.4 percent in 2024, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, yet domestic demand for hands-on brand engagement keeps rising. By making its famed visitor center “mobile,” Buffalo Trace hopes to cultivate loyalty in markets that show growing interest in premium spirits without diluting the cachet of a Frankfort pilgrimage. “We have long sought to bring our story to those who cannot visit,” Global Brand Director Andrew Duncan said in a statement, adding that the tour will include “guided tastings and maybe even a surprise or two.”
Where and when travelers can join the tour
Exact venues will be announced closer to launch, but the current routing and timing is set:
- St. Louis, Missouri — four days in early October
- Kansas City, Missouri — immediately following St. Louis
- Jacksonville, Florida — mid-October
- Tampa, Florida — late October
Ten sessions are scheduled in each city, and reservations will open online roughly six weeks before the roadshow arrives. Tickets are free but limited; once a session is full, a waiting list will be activated.
Tips for travelers
- Book early: Demand is expected to mirror the sold-out pattern seen in Frankfort.
- Arrive hungry: Tastings run 90 minutes and include four pours; a light snack beforehand can help you savor flavors without rushing.
- Bring ID: All attendees must be at least 21; passports are accepted for international visitors.
- Pack light: Merchandise is available, but shipping options will be offered at checkout to avoid lugging glassware across town—or on the next flight.
- Pair with local exploration: Each host city boasts thriving food scenes; build in time to sample regional barbecue in Kansas City or Gulf seafood in Tampa.
What the move means for bourbon travelers
If the four-city experiment succeeds, more markets could find Buffalo Trace rolling into town with its iconic copper stills replicated in pop-up form. For travelers who collect distillery stamps, the mobile tour offers a convenient way to taste coveted expressions without booking a flight to Kentucky—though the original campus, rebuilt rapidly after a minor flood earlier this year, still rewards visitors with deeper production tours and single-barrel selections unavailable elsewhere.
How long is each session?
Approximately 1.5 hours, including a seated tasting and shopping time.
Does the tour cost anything?
No. All sessions are complimentary, but advance reservations are mandatory.
Can I attend more than one session?
Yes, but separate reservations are required for each time slot.
Are walk-ins allowed?
Only if space remains after ticketed guests are seated.
The bigger picture for bourbon lovers
Sazerac is not alone in betting on immersive outreach, yet Buffalo Trace’s decision to lift an entire visitor program out of its 245-year-old distillery and drop it into urban venues sets a new benchmark. Should the model take off, travelers may soon find more heritage producers rolling mobile rickhouses into convention halls, sports arenas or even cruise ships. For now, October belongs to Missouri and Florida. If you call one of these cities home—or plan to pass through—consider penciling in ninety spirited minutes with America’s most awarded bourbon distillery. Just remember: the booking window opens soon, and tickets are likely to disappear faster than a pour of Weller Antique 107. — In a statement, the company said Buffalo Trace Distillery On Tour will expand to more cities if demand proves strong.
About the Author
Bob Vidra
Bob Vidra, based in scenic Tahoe, is an esteemed tech editor known for his deep understanding of the dynamic intersection of technology, travel, and the outdoors.