Buffalo Trace Flood Recovery Begins as Waters Recede in Kentucky

Buffalo Trace Distillery is pictured April 11. For comparison, see the bottom of this article for a photo of the flooded distillery on April 7. The Buffalo Trace flood recovery is underway. (Photos: Buffalo Trace)

Buffalo Trace Distillery announced Friday that it has started recovery efforts following severe flooding that affected its Frankfort campus earlier this month. Water levels from the Kentucky River have now receded, allowing staff and contractors to assess damage and begin repairs.

Cleanup teams have gained access to the full distillery grounds. Engineers and restoration experts are now inspecting all affected buildings. The full extent of the damage remains unclear, but shipping operations resumed Friday morning and bottling is expected to restart next week.

The visitor center, which suffered flooding on its first floor, will stay closed through Sunday. A limited retail experience will reopen early next week in the Freehouse Building, adjacent to the main parking lot. Access will be offered via a reservation system for guests with previously canceled tours.

Buffalo Trace is also inspecting barrels exposed to the flood. These assessments began Thursday and are expected to take weeks. The distillery emphasized that it uses the same testing process it applies to all whiskey it bottles and does not anticipate a significant loss of product.

“A lot of heart and soul goes into every product we make, which is why our team is dedicated to testing with heavy scrutiny each barrel possibly affected by flood waters to ensure there are no issues,” Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley said in a news release. “We have never, nor will we ever, compromise on the quality or safety of the whiskey we make.”

The facility remains closed to the public except for essential personnel and recovery crews. More updates on reopening plans will be shared via Buffalo Trace’s Instagram and official website.

This flood marks one of the most severe events since the 1978 flood that crested at 48.5 feet. The Kentucky River reached 48.27 feet at its peak last weekend, flooding much of Frankfort and nearby counties.

Buffalo Trace said it will announce community relief efforts in the coming weeks. In the meantime, donations to the Franklin County Flood Relief Fund can be made here.

For more background on the flooding’s impact, see our previous report: Buffalo Trace Forced to Shutter Distillery Following Historic Kentucky Flood.

The heavily flooded Buffalo Trace Distillery is pictured April 7.