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distillery Awards

Since 2000, Buffalo Trace Distillery has earned over 40 distillery titles from prestigious publications such as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate and Wine Enthusiast.

In addition, its wide range of premium whiskeys has garnered more than 500 awards, highlighting its status as one of the world’s most celebrated distilleries.

Discover the full list of awards that Buffalo Trace Distillery has earned.

2020-2025

Star Attraction
2024
Visitor Attraction of the Year 
Whisky Magazine 
"Icons of Whisky" 
Person Award
2023
Brand Ambassador American Whiskey of the Year, Freddie Johnson
Whisky Magazine 
"Icons of Whisky" 
Person Award
2023
Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year, Matt Higgins
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Distillery Award
2022
Global Distiller of the Year
Whisky Magazine 
"Icons of Whisky" 
Distillery Award
2022
American Distiller of the Year
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Distillery Award
2021
World Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year 
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Distillery Award
2020
Distiller of the Year
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Star Attraction
2020
Visitor Attraction of the Year
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky"
Star Attraction
2020
Global Visitor Attraction of the Year 
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" 

2010-2019

Person Award
2018
Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year, Matt Higgins
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Distillery Award
2018
Distiller of the Year
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Distillery Award
2018
Brand Innovator of the Year of the Year/Highly Commended
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Star Attraction
2018
Whiskey Visitor Attraction of the Year/Highly Commended 
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Star Attraction
2017
Visitor Attraction of the Year
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Person Award
2016
Master Distiller of the Year, Harlen Wheatley
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Distillery Award
2016
Distillery of the YeaR
Drammie Awards
Distillery Award
2016
Distillery of the Year, North America
Drammie Awards
Distillery Award
2015
Americas & the Caribbean Spirits Producer of the Year 
International Wine & Spirits Competition
Distillery Award
2015
World Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky"
Distillery Award
2015
Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Person Award
2015
American Distillery Manager of the Year, Harlen Wheatley
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Distillery Award
2015
Whiskey Distillery of the Year/Highly Commended 
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Star Attraction
2015
Whiskey Visitor Center of the Year/Highly Commended
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Person Award
2014
Distiller of the Year
International Wine & Spirits Competition
Distillery Award
2014
America and the Caribbean Spirits Producer of the Year
International Wine & Spirits Competition
Distillery Award
2014
Whiskey Distiller of the Year
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Distillery Award
2013
Whiskey Distiller of the Year/Highly Commended
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Distillery Award
2012
Whisky Brand Innovator of the Year
International Wine & Spirits Competition
Person Award
2012
Whiskey Ambassador of the Year, Elmer T. Lee
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Bronze
2012
Traverse Award for Promotional Video
First Place for Timeless Craft Video - Kentucky Travel Industry Association
Bronze
2012
Traverse Award for Print Ad
First Place for Employee Ad Series - Kentucky Travel Industry Association
Bronze
2011
Traverse Award for Excellence in Marketing 
First Place for Oral History Promotional Video - Kentucky Travel Industry Association
Bronze
2011
Traverse Award for Excellence in Marketing
Honorable Mention for Screen Saver - Kentucky Travel Industry Association
2011
Class C Education Award, "Quest For The Perfect Bourbon"
Kentucky Historical Society
Star Attraction
2010
Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky"

2006-2009

Star Attraction
2009
American Visitor Attraction of the Year 
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky"
Distillery Award
2008
American Innovator of the Year 
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky"
Distillery Award
2008
Distillery of the Year
San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Distillery Award
2007
Distiller of the Year 
Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Star Attraction
2007
Whisky Visitor Attraction of the Year
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky"
Distillery Award
2006
American Distiller of the Year
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky" America
Star Attraction
2006
American Visitor Attraction of the Year 
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky"
Distillery Award
2006
American Innovator of the Year 
Whisky Magazine "Icons of Whisky"
2006
Distillery of the Year
San Francisco World Spirits Competition

our brands

Discover the full range of Buffalo Trace Distillery spirits and the craftsmanship that makes each one exceptional.

Our Brands