Kentucky bourbon distillery visits Big Cedar for tasting events

Recently, a world-renowned bourbon maker visited Big Cedar to offer unique tasting and teaching classes.

The Buffalo Trace Distillery, out of Frankfurt, KY, is the longest continually operated distillery in the country. The distillery brought the flavors and knowledge of bourbon making to the Grandview Conference Center on the Big Cedar property. The event offered attendees a chance not only to taste five of the distillery’s bourbons but had a presentation given by bourbon makers on the process and history of the liquor.

International Brand Ambassador Freddie Johnson, a third-generation bourbon maker with the Buffalo Trace Distillery, talked about not just the science behind the making of the award-winning bourbon but the connections and memories built around sharing a drink with someone.

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LEFT: Freddie Johnson, the International Brand Ambassador, speaking to the attendees; RIGHT: The flight of tasting bourbons offered at the event (Photos by AJ Fahr)

“My childhood was spent learning the business at the feet of my father,” Johnson said. “When I was old enough to visit the distillery safely, I was there learning and spending time with him. When I grew up, I moved away; when dad got sick, I moved back to take care of him. He used to drink a bourbon every night. When he got sick, we had to find what would work for him to continue to do so. After a while we found mixing it with Diet Pepsi worked for him.”

When his dad, who suffered from Alzheimer's was nearing the end of life, Johnson shared with him a special pour for a bottle he had kept for a special occasion. “I had my dad sign the bottle that night. I thought it was crazy, cause like he always said…there will always be more bourbon,” Johnson remembered with tears in his eyes. “It was his last drink before he passed. I now have the bottle signed by him as a lasting memory.”

Johnson said he now invites guests he shares drinks with to sign and date the bottles to preserve the memories of those special moments. 

During the presentation, attendees tasted the Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Eagle Rare, Weller the Original Wheated Whiskey and the Sazerac Rye. They were taught how to distinguish the notes of each bourbon through smell, feel and taste. 

The Buffalo Trace Distillery is a registered national historic monument. “The Buffalo Trace Distillery (has been) crafting bourbon on the same Kentucky grounds for over 200 years,” states the Buffalo Trace Distillery website. “We are the world's most award-winning distillery, still crafting whiskey every day and open to welcome visitors. Our mission is simple: Create exceptional spirits, share them with the world and preserve bourbon’s heritage for generations to come.”

For more information on Buffalo Trace, visit their website at www.buffalotracedistillery.com.