FRANKFORT, Ky. – Buffalo Trace Distillery, the world’s most award-winning distillery, proudly unveils its latest innovation from the longstanding Experimental Collection: a distinctive Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey crafted with peated malt. Nearly a decade in the making, this limited-edition expression began when Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley incorporated smoked peated malt—sourced from the United Kingdom—in place of traditional barley within an otherwise classic bourbon mash bill dominated by corn and rye. Following standard distillation practices, the spirit matured in new, charred American oak barrels, resulting in a subtle yet captivating smoky profile that enhances the bourbon’s inherent sweetness and spice.
“The Experimental Collection is not about breaking the rules of bourbon,” explains Harlen Wheatley. “In fact, 95 percent of our experiments stay within the confines of traditional methods of making whiskey. We conduct this research to better understand the variables that affect our final flavor profiles.” Past releases have explored alternatives like rice or oats in the mash bill, extended charring, and infrared treatments, all aimed at deepening insight into whiskey craftsmanship. For this peated expression, the team closely monitored just six barrels aging on the lower floors of the distillery’s historic warehouses, ensuring the delicate peat influence harmonized perfectly with Buffalo Trace’s signature rye-forward character.
Available in limited 375ml bottles at 90 proof, this rare Buffalo Trace Experimental Peated Bourbon offers enthusiasts a unique bridge between American bourbon tradition and subtle Scotch-inspired smokiness, with aromas of smoke and nuts giving way to flavors of light peat, brown butter, and sweet toffee. As one of the most sought-after releases in the collection, it invites connoisseurs to explore new dimensions in premium American whiskey while honoring the distillery’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
About Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, stands as America’s oldest continually operating distillery, with a legacy tracing back over 200 years along the historic paths carved by migrating buffalo. Designated a National Historic Landmark, this iconic site has persevered through floods, fires, Prohibition—when it was one of only a few permitted to produce medicinal whiskey—and countless challenges, all while perfecting the art of bourbon craftsmanship under legendary figures like Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr., George T. Stagg, and Albert B. Blanton. Today, as the world’s most award-winning distillery with more than 40 distillery-of-the-year titles and over 1,000 individual accolades, Buffalo Trace continues to honor its pioneering heritage with unwavering dedication to quality and innovation.
Home to an extraordinary portfolio of premium spirits, Buffalo Trace crafts beloved expressions including the smooth, versatile flagship Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, the groundbreaking single-barrel Blanton’s, the richly complex Eagle Rare, the wheated elegance of W.L. Weller, the bold E.H. Taylor Jr. collection, and the highly coveted Buffalo Trace Antique Collection featuring gems like George T. Stagg and Sazerac Rye. Visitors are welcomed for complimentary tours and tastings amidst aging warehouses filled with the alluring aroma of maturing bourbon, experiencing firsthand the timeless traditions and experimental spirit that make Buffalo Trace a cornerstone of American whiskey excellence worldwide.
Address: 113 Great Buffalo Trace Frankfort, KY 40601
Website: https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/
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