High-demand reservations and the Frankfort fly-in
Buffalo Trace Distillery sits on the Kentucky River at 113 Great Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, about 70 minutes from downtown Louisville. The distillery's own visitor page notes heavy demand for its tours, which are reserved online, so the reservation usually comes first and the rest of the day gets built around it. It is also about 10 minutes from Capital City Airport, which makes it the easiest distillery in the region for a private flight. One more thing worth saying plainly: Buffalo Trace is an independent distillery, not a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and it is one of the stops we drive to most.
Reserve early, arrive with margin
Because Buffalo Trace's tours fill up, reserve as soon as your dates are firm and before you lock in anything else. Once you have a time, send it to us and we will plan backward from it. From Louisville, we leave enough room for I-64 traffic so the group walks in relaxed rather than rushing from the lot.
A morning slot is the easiest to plan around, because it leaves the afternoon open for the two McCracken Pike distilleries nearby and puts lunch at the cafe in the middle.
Flying into Frankfort or Lexington
Capital City Airport in Frankfort is about 10 minutes from the distillery. Private flyers landing at Signature Aviation at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington are about 35 minutes away. Send the tail number and estimated arrival, and we will meet the aircraft and keep the tour time in view.
Getting there from Louisville
From downtown Louisville, the drive is about 70 minutes, roughly 55 miles east on I-64. From SDF, about 75 minutes. From downtown Jeffersonville, about 70 minutes. We pick up at Louisville hotels, homes on both sides of the river, and SDF with flight tracking.
Arriving and lunch
The distillery's visit page describes a visitor parking lot, and your chauffeur takes care of the vehicle while the group checks in. For lunch, the John G. Carlisle Cafe is on site, and the distillery says walk-ins are welcome. Check its hours on the plan-your-visit page. Bring a valid photo ID and comfortable shoes; the campus is spread out.
Pairing with Castle & Key or Woodford Reserve
Castle & Key is about 20 minutes away on McCracken Pike, and Woodford Reserve is about 20 minutes away in Versailles. Castle & Key and Woodford are about 10 minutes from each other, so all three fit one day. Our Frankfort and Versailles loop starts here.
Sample days from Louisville and Frankfort
From Louisville: a morning pickup, about 70 minutes east, a late-morning tour and lunch at the cafe. Castle & Key and Woodford Reserve follow at about 20 and 10 minutes, and the ride home from Versailles is about 75 minutes, for roughly two hours and 55 minutes of driving. Groups that prefer two stops can go straight from Buffalo Trace to Woodford, about 20 minutes.
From the Frankfort airport: a private flight into Capital City Airport puts the group about 10 minutes from the distillery. A single tour and lunch fit comfortably between landing and a return flight, and your chauffeur keeps both the tour time and the departure in view. Guests landing at Signature Aviation in Lexington can do the same day with a longer first leg, about 35 minutes.
Whichever version you choose, send the tour time first. Everything else in the day is built around it.
Reserve your tour directly
Buffalo Trace takes tour reservations online. Reserve first, then send us your time.
Choosing a vehicle
A group of friends who want the classic arrival often choose a stretch limousine, like the one in the photo above. A family or a pair of executives is comfortable in a luxury SUV, and a company outing rides a shuttle. See our fleet page for vehicle sizes. Every chauffeur is background-checked and trained; our safety standards are on the safety page.
Keep planning
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo Trace on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?
No. Buffalo Trace is an independent distillery and isn't a Kentucky Bourbon Trail member, but it is a popular stop and we drive there regularly.
How far is Buffalo Trace from Louisville?
About 70 minutes from downtown Louisville by car.
Is there food at Buffalo Trace?
Yes. The John G. Carlisle Cafe is on site. Check the distillery's website for hours.