It is with deep concern for the community, the dedicated team at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, the communities in Kentucky and everyone impacted by this historic flooding that we share these images and updates. The photos – shared by members of the Buffalo Trace Distillery Members Facebook group- offer a serious look at the current state of the Buffalo Trace Gift Shop and other areas of the distillery that many of our readers will recognize from past visits.
Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky tells BourbonBlog.com that it has temporarily closed due to severe flooding in the region. The closure applies to both public visitors and all team members—the facility is currently not accessible to anyone. This includes all tours, tastings, retail, and production operations. The distillery reports it will remain closed through at least Thursday, April 10, 2025, with the possibility of extending the closure depending on safety assessments and site conditions.
Are you aware of any other distilleries affected by the recent flooding? If so, please share your insights in the comments below or reach out to us at [email protected].. And keep following BourbonBlog.com as we will stay with this story.
This decision follows days of relentless and record-breaking rainfall across Kentucky and surrounding states.
In Frankfort, the Kentucky River crested at 48.3 feet early Monday, coming within inches of the all-time record of 48.5 feet set in 1978. The result: extensive flooding across multiple areas of the Buffalo Trace property. Parking lots have been overtaken by water, and several non-production buildings have been impacted. Historical flood markers at the site, including one from 1978, are nearly submerged—making the current flooding one of the most significant in recent memory.
In Lexington, approximately 25 miles east of Frankfort, more than 6.6 inches of rainfall were recorded over the past week, contributing to elevated water levels in surrounding rivers and streams. Meanwhile, cities like Falmouth are experiencing severe flash flooding from the Licking River, leading to residential evacuations. The National Weather Service has issued multiple active flood warnings across Kentucky, urging residents to take extreme caution. Road closures, infrastructure strain, and emergency responses are ongoing.
Buffalo Trace has made it clear that the safety of employees and guests is their top priority.
A full assessment of the impact on the distillery’s footprint will begin once the area is deemed safe for reentry. They’ve committed to providing real-time updates on Instagram via @buffalotracedistillery.
The community has shown overwhelming support, as seen in comments and photo contributions across social media. Members of the Buffalo Trace Distillery Members Facebook group continue to share photos of waterlogged walkways, familiar landmarks overtaken by floodwaters, and submerged signage—powerful reminders of just how deeply this event has affected one of America’s most historic distilleries.
BourbonBlog.com will continue monitoring the situation and providing updates as they become available.
In addition to the situation at Buffalo Trace Distillery, severe weather has significantly impacted other regions of Kentucky. In Frankfort, the Kentucky River crested at 48.3 feet on Monday morning, just below the record of 48.5 feet set in 1978. This has led to substantial flooding, prompting evacuations and road closures.
Tragically, the recent storms and flooding have resulted in fatalities.
A 9-year-old boy, Gabriel Andrews, was swept away by floodwaters while walking to his school bus stop in Frankfort. Additionally, a woman was found submerged in her car in Nelson County.
These incidents underscore the severe and life-threatening nature of the flooding across the state.
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