Would You Take a Buffalo Trace Distillery Tour?

[fishnbowljoe]

Well lookee here at what I spotted on MSN.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/would-you-take-a-buffalo-trace-distillery-tour/ar-AA1qrMB2?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=6b347b87bfaa497df146e199bb4473b7&ei=35

[Richnimrod]

Ahhhh!   Fred's a star!  

[fishnbowljoe]

Here’s one of my favorite pics. Fred and my best friend  @Vosgar. I got Gary good with a version of that pic one time. Probably our next trip to Bardstown with SB. My wife photoshopped it so that it looked like Fred and Gary were holding hands.

 

[aquavite]

I would only tour the BT facility if it meant I'd be able to sample some Pappy (either 15 and/or 23).   Just some samples, that's all. Just so that I know what it smells/tastes like.  I mean, I know I'll never be able to afford secondary or higher market pricing, but if I could just have a taste, at least I'll know what I'm missing.    Refer to my previous post in re:  "Dom Perignon."  

 

But I gather the BT facility never does that.   Not "publicly" anyway. Maybe if one has an "in" with the family/mgt.   I think I did hear Jullian III say once that they can;'t really touch the stuff while being manufactured... that it all has to go to the distributors.  Well, "officially" it has to.   Unofficially?  Who knows.  

 

Honestly, though, I'm not sure I'd tour any facilities at this point.  Maybe Heaven Hill  if I could bring home some ECBP.  

[fishnbowljoe]

@aquavite FWIW, the man in the article, Fred Mosenter, is on the tasting panel at BT. Mainly for the BTAC IIRC. He teased us a couple of times in Bardstown with comments like, “Oooh, the GTS is gonna be remarkable this year.” He helped at the BT tent/display during the KBF, and would join us at the gazebo at General Nelson Hotel when he was done. He’s good friends with Fred Noe. I heard stories of attending cookouts at the Noe house in Bardstown. 

[smokinjoe]

1 hour ago, aquavite said:

 

 

Honestly, though, I'm not sure I'd tour any facilities at this point.  Maybe Heaven Hill  if I could bring home some ECBP.  

If you’re serious about this, I would suggest you change your mind!  Many distilleries offer a great experience with their tours!  

[Richnimrod]

6 hours ago, aquavite said:

I would only tour the BT facility if it meant I'd be able to sample some Pappy (either 15 and/or 23).   Just some samples, that's all. Just so that I know what it smells/tastes like.  I mean, I know I'll never be able to afford secondary or higher market pricing, but if I could just have a taste, at least I'll know what I'm missing.    Refer to my previous post in re:  "Dom Perignon."  

 

But I gather the BT facility never does that.   Not "publicly" anyway. Maybe if one has an "in" with the family/mgt.   I think I did hear Jullian III say once that they can;'t really touch the stuff while being manufactured... that it all has to go to the distributors.  Well, "officially" it has to.   Unofficially?  Who knows.  

 

Honestly, though, I'm not sure I'd tour any facilities at this point.  Maybe Heaven Hill  if I could bring home some ECBP.  

 

FWIW, my understanding is that ALL the Pappy distillate belongs Mr. Van Winkle; NOT to Buffalo Trace, nor to Age International.    They are not allowed to do anything with any of it other than what is directed by his company.   I also understand your comment that stuph occurs that is not within the bounds of contractual limitations... so, a taste here or there may indeed happen; but, I'm certain it doesn't happen often, and is NEVER spoken of beyond a very select group of folx.

 

Aside: if you're ever going to be in the Southeast part of The Mitten State, PM me a few days before, and I'll try to work out a taste of some Pappy for ya'.

[fishnbowljoe]

6 hours ago, Richnimrod said:

 

FWIW, my understanding is that ALL the Pappy distillate belongs Mr. Van Winkle; NOT to Buffalo Trace, nor to Age International.    They are not allowed to do anything with any of it other than what is directed by his company.   I also understand your comment that stuph occurs that is not within the bounds of contractual limitations... so, a taste here or there may indeed happen; but, I'm certain it doesn't happen often, and is NEVER spoken of beyond a very select group of folx.

 

Aside: if you're ever going to be in the Southeast part of The Mitten State, PM me a few days before, and I'll try to work out a taste of some Pappy for ya'.

Julian doesn’t really “own” any barrels. There was at one time speculation that certain floors in certain warehouses were reserved for wheated distillate for Julian. I was told this wasn’t true. What I was told was that Julian has his pick of wheated barrels of distillate when they come of age. Basically, BT contract distills for Julian.

[flahute]

BT hard hat tour is still an all time favorite. I'd do it at the drop of a hat and I don't care at all what I get to taste.

[Skinsfan1311]

6 minutes ago, flahute said:

BT hard hat tour is still an all time favorite. I'd do it at the drop of a hat and I don't care at all what I get to taste.

I couldn't agree more!

We've done a lot of distilleries, but the BT hard hat tour in 2017 was one of the best.   The weather was perfect,  the facility beautiful and our guide, (an older retired gentleman,  Bob?), was fantastic.

 

There is nothing like a snort of that White Dog, straight out of that Buffalo head tap. 

[Skinsfan1311]

14 hours ago, aquavite said:

I would only tour the BT facility if it meant I'd be able to sample some Pappy (either 15 and/or 23).   Just some samples, that's all. Just so that I know what it smells/tastes like.  I mean, I know I'll never be able to afford secondary or higher market pricing, but if I could just have a taste, at least I'll know what I'm missing.    Refer to my previous post in re:  "Dom Perignon."  

 

But I gather the BT facility never does that.   Not "publicly" anyway. Maybe if one has an "in" with the family/mgt.   I think I did hear Jullian III say once that they can;'t really touch the stuff while being manufactured... that it all has to go to the distributors.  Well, "officially" it has to.   Unofficially?  Who knows.  

 

Honestly, though, I'm not sure I'd tour any facilities at this point.  Maybe Heaven Hill  if I could bring home some ECBP.  

Hit the Garage Bar in the Nulu district of Lousville,  and you can buy a pour of the 15 and 23, and then go  take some distillery tours. Most of them are a lot of fun.  Hell,  it's almost worth the trip for Mrs Skinsfan and I just for the smell of the rickhouses alone.   BT is a beautiful facility with great tours.  Full disclaimer: We haven't been to BT since 2017, which is well before hoards of people started to line up before they opened just for a shot at an allocated bottle.  That would a little off-putting to me....

Edited September 15, 2024 by Skinsfan1311

[flahute]

22 minutes ago, Skinsfan1311 said:

There is nothing like a snort of that White Dog, straight out of that Buffalo head tap. 

I love how they have you rub your hands together with the white dog and it smells like bread.

[fishnbowljoe]

I remember one tour with Fred. I was ecstatic. They were distilling the wheated mashbill! That was the only time in all my visits and tours at BT that they were distilling the wheated “juice”. Loved it when we tasted the white dog right off the still with the buffalo head tap. Fred had us put some white dog on our hands, then rub them together and wave them in the air. He then told us to smell our hands. Smelled like popcorn. As we left that area, I had an empty water bottle. I caught Fred’s eye and gave him a look. He smiled and shook his head no. I so wanted to fill my empty water bottle with the wheated white dog.

 

 

[Skinsfan1311]

11 minutes ago, fishnbowljoe said:

I remember one tour with Fred. I was ecstatic. They were distilling the wheated mashbill! That was the only time in all my visits and tours at BT that they were distilling the wheated “juice”. Loved it when we tasted the white dog right off the still with the buffalo head tap. Fred had us put some white dog on our hands, then rub them together and wave them in the air. He then told us to smell our hands. Smelled like popcorn. As we left that area, I had an empty water bottle. I caught Fred’s eye and gave him a look. He smiled and shook his head no. I so wanted to fill my empty water bottle with the wheated white dog.

 

 

Great story and a great tour.

I loved the whiskey out of that tap so much that I took a bottle home and from that day forward, we always have one on hand.  It's a crazy good freezer bottle too.

[fishnbowljoe]

Those pics I posted were from a long ago trip to BT with @Vosgar and his brother in laws. I really miss my best friend. His name and various stories about him come up frequently at our bourbon/beer/cigar get togethers at the Legion. 

[Richnimrod]

9 hours ago, fishnbowljoe said:

Julian doesn’t really “own” any barrels. There was at one time speculation that certain floors in certain warehouses were reserved for wheated distillate for Julian. I was told this wasn’t true. What I was told was that Julian has his pick of wheated barrels of distillate when they come of age. Basically, BT contract distills for Julian.

So, those barrels are marked "Weller" (or something) until Julian chooses 'em?   Then they're re-marked? ...Or set aside and segregated? ...Or dumped into a 'Van Winkle tank'?   If you are aware of the process, Joe, please enlighten us.   

Thanx in advance, if you can respond, my friend.   I know nobody else with more BT "inside" knowledge, thus the question....

[fishnbowljoe]

4 hours ago, Richnimrod said:

So, those barrels are marked "Weller" (or something) until Julian chooses 'em?   Then they're re-marked? ...Or set aside and segregated? ...Or dumped into a 'Van Winkle tank'?   If you are aware of the process, Joe, please enlighten us.   

Thanx in advance, if you can respond, my friend.   I know nobody else with more BT "inside" knowledge, thus the question....

What I posted here was what I was told by someone that worked at BT. I’m sorry if that isn’t enough information to suit your needs. 

[Richnimrod]

2 minutes ago, fishnbowljoe said:

What I posted here was what I was told by someone that worked at BT. I’m sorry if that isn’t enough information to suit your needs. 

 

Joe!   I wasn't insinuating that what you posted was somehow inadequate!  It was certainly informational . . . to me, and I'm sure others.   I just wondered if more details might be shared.  If not by your very knowledgeable self, then maybe another(s). Again sorry!

[fishnbowljoe]

2 minutes ago, Richnimrod said:

Joe!   I wasn't insinuating that what you posted was somehow inadequate!  It was certainly informational . . . to me, and I'm sure others.   I just wondered if more details might be shared.  If not by your very knowledgeable self, then maybe another(s). Again sorry!

Rich. I’m SORRY too. Why can’t you just take things at face value? Let it go. Sheeesh…….

[aquavite]

On 9/14/2024 at 8:42 AM, smokinjoe said:

If you’re serious about this, I would suggest you change your mind!  Many distilleries offer a great experience with their tours!  

 

I'm not saying I'll *never* do it.  I'm just "not sure" at this point.   A lot depends on what "discretionary financing" I have for that sort of travel.   

[fishnbowljoe]

Okay buckle up. 

 

As per:

“FWIW, my understanding is that ALL the Pappy distillate belongs Mr. Van Winkle; NOT to Buffalo Trace, nor to Age International.”  THE ABOVE STATEMENT IS NOT ACCURATE    BTD DISTILLERY OWNS ALL BARRELS IN STORAGE
 

“What I was told was that Julian has his pick of wheated barrels of distillate when they come of age” NOT ACCURATE 

 

“Basically, BT contract distills for Julian.” NOT ACCURATE

 

“There was at one time speculation that certain floors in certain warehouses were reserved for wheated distillate for Julian” WE HAVE A VERY DELIBERATE PUT AWAY PLAN FOR ALL OUR BARRELS

 

“So, those barrels are marked "Weller" (or something) until Julian chooses 'em?   Then they're re-marked? ...Or set aside and segregated? ...Or dumped into a 'Van Winkle tank'?”  CONFIDENTIAL FROM HERE ON DOWN

 

For something more positive “On a different note, I’ve been seeing allocated items show up a little more frequently. I hope this is a good sign.”  YES, SUPPLIES ARE BEGINNING TO CATCH UP TO DEMAND!