As America continues to reopen from the COVID-19 shutdown, Buffalo Trace will welcome guests back to its National Historic Landmark Distillery on July 1, with a focus on safety in accordance with CDC guidelines and government recommendations.
Guests are required to register for a tour or event in advance of their visit, in order for the distillery to efficiently manage tour and group sizes with respect to social distancing. The distillery grounds and playground will only be available to guests who have registered and checked-in. This includes usage of the grounds for photography.
Arriving guests must check in and have their temperature taken. Their individual contact information will be recorded in the event that contact tracing is later required. Guests will also be asked to wear a face mask. For anyone who forgets their mask, one will be provided. Employees at the distillery will also be wearing face masks and will have had their temperatures taken upon entrance.
Single barrel programs will return similarly.
“Like our tours, our onsite single barrel program will also resume in July,” says a distillery spokeswoman. “But as the program was booked through the end of the year, and all of our customer situations are different, our single barrel team is communicating with each customer on an individual basis.”
Distillery tours and events will be kept to small groups to allow for social distancing. Protective shields are up at the bars and cash registers, and in the tasting areas. Gift Shop capacity is also limited to allow for safe shopping experiences.
To make social distancing a little easier, Buffalo Trace will reopen with a newly expanded visitor center, which triples the size of the original visitor center.
“We are taking every step we can to address the health, safety and comfort of our guests to ensure the best experience possible,” says Homeplace Development Director Meredith Moody. “Our goal is to create a safe haven for all visitors while providing the same rich history and experiences for which we’re known. We can’t wait to reopen to the public and show guests our expanded Visitor Center and tasting rooms.”
All tours and tastings remain complimentary. Operating hours for Buffalo Trace Distillery are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Registrations for the Trace Tour, Old Taylor Tour, Bourbon Barrel Tour and Expansion Tour can be made at tours.buffalotracedistillery.com.
Curbside sales will also continue. To place an order visit buffalotracegiftshop.com.
A complete list of new safety procedures, along with information about enacted sanitation measures and protective equipment in use, can be found here. Full details about what to expect will be provided to guests upon registration.
Buffalo Trace also announced today that the Barton 1792 Distillery will reopen for tours, under similar safety circumstances, on July 1.
Will the distillery Be open on July 3 and will there be tours throughout the day?