Why Is Buffalo Trace Bourbon Hard To Find? Resolved (2022)

Last Updated on August 11, 2022 by Lydia Martin

Whiskey’s lengthy aging process and the high demand for the spirit make it pretty hard to find in common liquor stores. Buffalo Trace is just one brand of Kentucky straight bourbon that’s difficult to get nowadays. 

But really, why is Buffalo Trace hard to find? Here’s why. 

Why Buffalo Trace Products Are Hard To Find 

According to their official website, Buffalo Trace products are hard to find in liquor stores because the whiskeys they put inside barrels years ago have not yet aged properly for selling. That doesn’t mean there is a shortage, though [1]. 

The brand is dedicated to releasing only bottles that have passed their intricate quality assessment.

They are not interested in releasing subpar quality whiskeys just to make a quick buck. 

In the meantime, the brand is expanding its production capacities to create bigger batches, but it will still be some time before the Buffalo Trace batches are aged enough for bottling. 

Factors That (Possibly) Make It Difficult To Find 

State Population

Buffalo Trace only allocates limited bourbon bottles per state. This number is then parsed out to businesses based on their past sales.

Can you guess what happens next? Yes, smaller retailers and businesses often get zero. 

When retailers do get unicorn or rare bottles from time to time, they save them for loyal, long-time customers, sell them as one-ounce pours, or hold lotteries to raise funds for charity.

This is why it’s highly difficult to chance upon Buffalo Trace bottles in local shops nowadays. 

Historic Consumption/Demand

Buffalo Trace is the country’s oldest distillery. The distillery is even considered a historic landmark, which is why their labels are popular not just to the enthusiasts but also to those new to bourbon. 

The quality of their spirits also has not changed over the years, making it one of the whiskey industry’s most reliable and trustworthy.

There will always be a demand for quality bourbon, and Buffalo Trace labels will not disappoint. 

Read: Bourbon vs Whiskey

Popularity

It is said that the increasing popularity of Buffalo Trace products can be attributed to its media exposure.

It has been mentioned quite a few times in the popular Spotify podcast, the Joe Rogan Experience, wherein he talked about his experience and love for the bourbon brand. 

Needless to say that he piqued his listeners’ interest after he shared his love for the spirit. But is Buffalo Trace a wheated bourbon?

Affordability

Buffalo Trace products are not the most affordable labels on the market, but their price points are definitely a steal for the quality you’re getting.

It’s pretty difficult to find award-winning bottles with a price point shy of $30 at Drizly (for Buffalo Trace). 

Supply Issues

People automatically assume that a product is of good quality if there are issues with supply or the item is always sold out.

Since Buffalo Trace can’t keep up with the public’s demand for the products, it only makes people want it even more. 

What Buffalo Trace Says About Its Products’ Availability 

The Buffalo Trace Distillery is trying its best to meet people’s demands regarding its bourbon whiskeys by expanding the production capacity.

However, their whiskeys still need to meet the minimum aging requirement and bottling standards before being released to the public. In order to manage the whiskey shortage, Buffalo Trace has placed their whiskeys on allocation. 

They have to be as fair to their patrons as possible when releasing their limited bottles, which is why they have a strict rule on one bottle of Buffalo Trace Bourbon per customer per day. 

Bourbon Availability Per State

The availability of Buffalo Trace bourbons depends on regional distribution. This means that a specified number of bottles are allocated to each state throughout the year. You also have to factor in the supply vs demand element.

Some say it’s a hit or miss in Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. In Florida, you’ll find it on every shelf for some months. In Colorado and California, we’ve heard Buffalo Trace is everywhere.

Most of Buffalo Trace’s expressions are available online. However, the prices for the bottles are subject to the retailer’s discretion and are often notably higher.

FAQs 

Is Buffalo Trace worth the money even though it’s hard to find?

Yes, Buffalo Trace is worth the money, even though it’s pretty difficult to find a bottle. The distillery produces some of the best quality bourbons on the market.

And for its price point of just shy of $30 as per Drizly, it’s definitely a steal (considering you do get it at SRP, that is). 

Is there a Buffalo Trace shortage making it hard to find?

Technically there isn’t a Buffalo Trace shortage. The distillery has revealed that they’ve upped its production capacity.

They’ve actually grown production by an estimated nine times since 1992. 

So, Why Is Buffalo Trace Hard To Find?

Buffalo Trace bottles are hard to find nowadays because many of their barrels are not ripe enough for bottling. Production is up, but so is demand.

The distillery has upped its production game about nine times since 1992, but it will take a while before the spirit inside the barrels meets their quality standards for selling.

Buffalo Trace Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in the country. They take pride in selling reliable and trustworthy whiskey, with quality that has not changed over the years. 

It also doesn’t help that today’s media is talking about the bourbon’s quality, which is why the demand for it has grown even more. 

Reference: 

1. https://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/whiskey-age-statement-bottle-meaning/