Buffalo Trace 1995 Old Fashioned Copper Vintage 1996 25 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey

Multiple reliable sources—including Buffalo Trace’s own brand pages, as well as retailers and bourbon news outlets—consistently describe the tasting profile as: Nose: Cherry cordial → caramel → subtle smoked oak Palate: Dark chocolate → tobacco leaves → dates Finish: Lingering leather → black pepper → cinnamon

The Legacy of the Distillery: O.F.C. to Buffalo Trace

The distillery was originally established in 1870 by Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. and named the Old Fire Copper (O.F.C.) Distillery, in dedication to its copper pot stills and equipment.

Under George T. Stagg later in the 19th century, the distillery became renowned for introducing steam-heated, climate-controlled aging warehouses, a pioneering advancement in whiskey maturation.

The distillery underwent several name changes—including George T. Stagg Distillery—before being rebranded as Buffalo Trace Distillery in 1999, inspired by the buffalo migration path crossing the nearby Kentucky River.

Today, Buffalo Trace is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, marking its significance in American whiskey history.

Production Heritage & Master Distillers

The distillery was one of the few allowed to continue operating during Prohibition to produce whiskey for medicinal purposes, preserving its uninterrupted distilling legacy.

Notable master distillers include Gary Gayheart, who led from 1985 to 2005, and Harlen Wheatley, who joined the distillery in 1995 and became master distiller in 2005.

O.F.C. Vintage Series: Paying Homage to History

The O.F.C. Vintage bourbons are a tribute to the original Old Fire Copper Distillery. Each release features a hand-cut crystal decanter with copper lettering, housed in a wooden presentation box.

Releases include highly limited editions—early vintages like 1980, 1982, and 1983 were distributed through charity, while later editions such as 1993, 1994, and 1995 were made available in small quantities to the public.

Buffalo Trace Today: A Premier Bourbon Producer

Owned by the Sazerac Company since 1992, Buffalo Trace has a production capacity of approximately 2.65 million gallons of whiskey per year.

The distillery crafts a wide range of highly sought-after spirits, including Buffalo Trace bourbon, Col. E. H. Taylor, Eagle Rare, George T. Stagg, W.L. Weller, Sazerac Rye, Thomas H. Handy, Old Rip Van Winkle, and the O.F.C. series.

Buffalo Trace continues to expand its visitor experience and is opening the John G. Carlisle Café in Spring 2026 to enhance hospitality for guests.

Quick Summary Table
Feature Details
Founded 1870 by Col. E.H. Taylor Jr. (O.F.C. Distillery)
Historic Milestone First climate-controlled aging warehouses
Modern Name Buffalo Trace Distillery (since 1999)
Noteworthy Master Distillers Gary Gayheart (1985–2005), Harlen Wheatley (from 2005; joined 1995)
O.F.C. Vintage Series Crystal decanters honoring the original distillery
Current Ownership Sazerac Company (since 1992)
Legacy Acknowledged National Historic Landmark site
Public Offerings Expanding visitor experience with a new café in 2026

Size: 750 mL

Proof: 45%
*Please note that the ABV may vary