Buffalo Trace Lodges 9 Millionth Barrel Into Warehouse V

Yesterday Buffalo Trace Distillery placed its nine millionth barrel of bourbon since Prohibition into Warehouse V, the one-barrel monument that has held their millionth barrels since 1953. The distillery began official barrel counting in 1933, after the repeal of Prohibition. Since then, the Distillery has celebrated multiple millionth barrel milestones – the first in 1942, followed by 1953, 1961, 1971, 1981, 2008, 2018, 2022, and now 2025.This historic accomplishment comes on the heels of Buffalo Trace completing its decade long, $1.2 billion expansion project earlier this year, which has allowed the Distillery to achieve this landmark moment on a greatly accelerated timeline vs. prior millionth barrel milestones. The nine millionth barrel was actually filled on August 13, but has sat waiting for the ceremony since.

“The filling of our nine millionth barrel represents a historic chapter in the Distillery’s story, which began more than two centuries ago and is still being written today,” said Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller. “This milestone is exciting not just because we are producing more whiskey than ever before, but because every barrel filled ensures that generations to come will be able to enjoy the same quality and craftsmanship that has defined the Distillery since the 1850’s.”

Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman added, “We are proud to be the birthplace of bourbon, and celebrations like this one remind us that our signature industry is as strong as ever. Buffalo Trace Distillery not only preserves centuries of craftsmanship, but also drives jobs, tourism, and opportunity for families here in Franklin County and across the Commonwealth. Thank you to the leaders at Buffalo Trace for their continued commitment to the Commonwealth and our people.”

On hand to mark the occasion was Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman, Franklin County Judge Executive Michael Mueller, Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson and Buffalo Trace Distillery officials, including third generation team member Freddie Johnson whose family has been involved in every millionth barrel since 1942.

The filling of the nine millionth barrel comes less than three years after the filling of the eight millionth barrel, which happened in December 2022. The Distillery’s seven millionth barrel was filled four years prior to that in 2018.