BT Repairs Aging Warehouse

[OscarV]

Remeber the tornado that whacked off the top of Warehouse B in 2006?

They are just now finishing the repair job.

Buffalo Trace Distillery Repairs Aging Warehouse

Buffalo Trace Distillery 12/21/2010

FRANKFORT, Franklin County, Ky (Dec. 21, 2010) – What used to be the site of where the mighty buffalo crossed over the Kentucky River is now the site of heavy cranes and lifts at Buffalo Trace Distillery this month as repairs are being made to Warehouse B, the oldest aging barrel warehouse on the property grounds.

Warehouse B, constructed in 1884, is a fine example of a brick aging warehouse. The walls are constructed of brick and mortar and the interior houses an extensive rick system made of heart pine, a favored wood for construction in that time period, but one that can’t be found today.

The aging warehouse stood strong for more than 120 years, until a tornado hit the structure in 2006 that caused significant damage. Fortunately the warehouse was empty at the time, but the north wall and the northwest corner of the roof were damaged.

Over the next few months, Warehouse B is undergoing repairs to rebuild it as it stood before it was damaged by the tornado. The purpose of the restoration is to bring the building back to the strength and stature it once held and to maintain the historical integrity of the Distillery as a whole.

The repair work, which started in October, includes the northwest corner of the roof, and rebuilding all the windows on the northwest wall utilizing as many existing components as possible. Windows on the remaining three walls will be reconstructed as necessary. Repairs to the mortar will be made with the same mortar recipe used by the original builders.

In order to keep the exterior of the warehouse with the same look as before the tornado, as much brick as possible will be salvaged. A steam heating system will also be added so temperature can be maintained inside the building to prevent condensation and the accumulation of moisture which will keep the structure from deteriorating.

The repairs are targeted to be complete by March 2011, weather permitting. Sullivan & Cozart Inc. of Louisville, Ky. is handling the repairs.

[barturtle]

I thought for sure that there were pictures of barrels in the ricks in the photos when that happened.

[OscarV]

Sure were, I can't find them.

[OscarV]

I just dug these up, click away Mates.

[callmeox]

I've asked Kris Comstock about the claim in the release and the example in the pics. I'll let you know what he says.

[cowdery]

I think it was mostly empty. I don't recall barrels in the pictures.

They were supposed to have done this some time ago but I think the purchase of Tom Moore and Glenmore took some of the pressure off in terms of warehouse space.

[ThomasH]

I visited BT about a week after this happened and there were barrels in the warehouse but non were damaged. They were being carefully unloaded from the warehouse while we were there.

[silverfish]

Whenever I read of a warehouse problem, I think of the

Glenfiddich Snow Phoenix - quite a way to turn a negative

into a positive, though that may not have worked in the

BT situation.