Buffalo Trace Distillery London is a dedicated bourbon experience and retail shop at 32-33 Long Acre, Covent Garden. Their flagship tasting, “Tradition and Change: Crafting the Most Awarded American Whiskey,” guides small groups through five pours — White Dog Mash #1, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare 10-Year-Old, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch, and a Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned. Sessions are led by an in-house Storyteller and run roughly one hour. Booking in advance is essential. This is one of the most focused American whiskey experiences available in London.
Located at 32-33 Long Acre, Buffalo Trace Distillery London is a sanctuary for bourbon lovers. It isn’t just a shop; it’s an immersive, wood-scented tribute to American whiskey craftsmanship. I recently stepped inside for their premier tasting experience, and it’s a journey every whiskey enthusiast should take.
The Experience: Tradition and Change
The tour we sat through, “Tradition and Change: Crafting the Most Awarded American Whiskey,” is designed for those who want to look past the label. Led by a “Storyteller,” the session isn’t just about sipping; it’s about the narrative of how Buffalo Trace survived Prohibition, embraced innovation, and ultimately defined the modern bourbon category.
The setting is intimate limited to a small group which makes it feel more like a private tasting in a collector’s basement than a tourist attraction.
The Lineup: From Raw Spirit to Refined Legend
The tasting progression is a masterclass in how corn, rye, and malted barley transform over time and wood.
- Buffalo Trace Bourbon — tasting note
Nose: Vanilla bean, fresh mint, brown sugar, light oak
Palate: Caramel, molasses, soft rye spice, baked corn
Finish:Medium, warm, fading vanilla and toasted grain
ABV: 45%
Cask type: New charred American oak
Style: Kentucky straight bourbon
Eagle Rare 10-Year-Old — tasting note
Nose: Toasted oak, dried orange peel, cocoa powder, almond
Palate: Dark chocolate, stone fruit, leather, rye pepper
Finish: Long, drying, lingering cocoa and oak tannins
ABV: 45%
Cask type: New charred American oak, min. 10 years
Style: Single barrel Kentucky bourbon
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch — tasting note
Nose: Caramel corn, cinnamon, clove, vanilla cream
Palate: Bold rye spice, creamy mouthfeel, butterscotch, roasted grain
Finish: Long, spicy-sweet, caramel and dry oak
ABV: 50% (bottled-in-bond)
Cask type: New charred American oak
Style: Bottled-in-bond Kentucky bourbon
White Dog Mash #1 — tasting note
Nose: Raw grain, sweet corn, fresh bread dough, light fruit Palate: Punchy, grainy, uncut sweetness — zero barrel influence
Finish: Short, clean, corn-forward
ABV: ~62.5% (white dog, unaged) | Style: New make spirit — pre-barrel Buffalo Trace
| White Dog | Buffalo Trace | Eagle Rare 10yr | E.H. Taylor Jr. | |
| Style | Unaged new make | Flagship bourbon | Single barrel | Bottled-in-bond |
| ABV | 62.5% | 45% | 45% | 50% |
| Key notes | Raw corn, grain | Vanilla, mint, molasses | Oak, cocoa, almonds | Caramel, rye spice |
| Complexity | Foundation | Classic | Sophisticated | Bold |
| Who it’s for | The curious | The everyday drinker | The sipping enthusiast | The spice lover |
What is Buffalo Trace Distillery?
Buffalo Trace is a Kentucky straight bourbon distillery located in Frankfort, Kentucky, operating continuously since 1787, making it one of the oldest distilleries in the United States. It produces some of the most allocated and sought-after bourbons in the world, including Pappy Van Winkle, W.L. Weller, and Blanton’s alongside its own core range.
The distillery is owned by the Sazerac Company and has won more spirits awards than any other distillery globally — a claim it has held for over two decades. Its London outpost at Covent Garden brings that Kentucky legacy to the UK, operating as both a retail destination and an immersive tasting venue.
For a distillery of its scale, the intimate format of the London experience is genuinely surprising. Groups are kept deliberately small, and the Storyteller-led format means you get context alongside the whiskey.
Frequently asked questions about Buffalo Trace London
What is Buffalo Trace London?
Buffalo Trace London is the official UK home of Buffalo Trace Distillery,
located at 32-33 Long Acre, Covent Garden. It combines a retail shop stocking
the full Buffalo Trace and Sazerac portfolio with ticketed tasting experiences.
It is not a production distillery — Buffalo Trace is distilled in Frankfort, Kentucky.
What does the Buffalo Trace London tasting include?
The flagship experience, “Tradition and Change,” covers five pours: White Dog
Mash #1 (unaged spirit), Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare 10-Year-Old,
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch, and a Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned cocktail.
Sessions run approximately one hour and are led by an in-house Storyteller in a small-group format.
How much does the Buffalo Trace London tasting cost?
Pricing varies by experience tier. The “Tradition and Change” session is their
premier tasting. Check availability and current pricing at the Buffalo Trace London
website directly — prices and availability change seasonally. Advance booking is required.
Where is Buffalo Trace London located?
The store and tasting venue is at 32-33 Long Acre, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9LP.
The nearest tube stations are Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) and Leicester Square
(Northern and Piccadilly lines), both a short walk away.
Can you buy rare Buffalo Trace bottles at the London store?
Yes. The retail section stocks the core range permanently and is known for
occasional drops of harder-to-find Sazerac portfolio expressions. Availability
of allocated bottles is unpredictable — there is no fixed schedule for rare releases.
What is Eagle Rare 10-Year-Old?
Eagle Rare 10-Year-Old is a single barrel Kentucky straight bourbon aged a
minimum of ten years in new charred American oak. It’s part of the Buffalo Trace
Distillery portfolio, bottled at 45% ABV. It is widely considered one of the best
value bourbons at its price point internationally and is a highlight of the London tasting lineup.
Planning a trip to Covent Garden? Make sure to book your tasting in advance.
Follow the journey at @thedailywhisky
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