Buffalo Trace Forced to Shutter Distillery Following Historic Kentucky Flood

In an aerial view, the flooded Buffalo Trace Distillery is seen April 7 in Frankfort, Kentucky. (Photos: AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

On Sunday, the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, closed its doors as severe floodwaters devastate the state and much of the surrounding region.

Over the weekend, residents in Franklin, Woodford and Anderson counties were issued a flood warning as the Kentucky River swelled to 48.27 feet, a few inches shy of a 48.5-foot record set in 1978. Flooding reportedly crested at the Frankfort Lock, located mere minutes away from the Buffalo Trace facility.

The historic bourbon maker announced on Instagram that it will remain closed through Thursday “at a minimum.”

“Due to the unprecedented and ongoing rain and flooding, we are not able to advise on the impact to our total distillery footprint,” Buffalo Trace wrote. “We will assess those realities in the coming days as the facilities become safe to navigate and will make necessary adjustments to operations as required.”

Images circulating on social media show the Buffalo Trace gift shop flooded with at least a foot of opaque water from wall to wall. In others, cars in the distillery parking lot are seen submerged up to their windows. Several photos show barrels floating adrift in the surrounding area. Buffalo Trace has yet to give a statement on the extent of the damages.

In an aerial view, a bourbon barrel floats on the floodwaters of the Buffalo Trace Distillery on April 7 in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Originally constructed in 1805, Buffalo Trace is widely regarded as the oldest continuously operating distillery in the nation. Best known for coveted bourbon staples like Blanton’s, Pappy Van Winkle, Eagle Rare and George T. Stagg, the facility produces upwards of 2.65 million gallons of whiskey per year. The grounds were recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2013.

Visitors to the facility can find a small group of markers etched on the side of Building #61. Each indicates a high-water mark from previous floods that have swept the distillery. The highest marker designates a historic December 1978 flood that reached 48.5 inches; the second-highest marks an April 1937 flood that reached 47.6 inches. As of Tuesday, flooding at the Buffalo Trace distillery sits somewhere in between.

“Our thoughts are with the local community and all those impacted by this natural disaster. Updates regarding operating hours and forthcoming relief initiatives will be made available via @buffalotracedistillery on Instagram – please follow along for real-time updates,” Buffalo Trace added.

Kayakers paddle on the floodwaters at the Buffalo Trace Distillery on April 7 in Frankfort, Kentucky.