Spend Halloween at Buffalo Trace’s Haunted ‘Night at the Distillery’

A pair of new Halloween-themed tours at Buffalo Trace Distillery invite guests to explore the facility’s historic spirits — both boozy and paranormal. 

The first spooktacular option is the Night at the Distillery Self-Guided Tour, now open to the public (ages 21+) for $35 per person. From October 23 to 25 and October 30 to November 1, guests can enjoy a nighttime, self-guided walk through the distillery’s grounds, exploring “the legends, folklore, and untold stories woven into its two-century history.” Planned stops will feature ghost stories, live entertainment, photo opportunities, and even some in-house cocktails to make the experience even better.

Each ticket includes three cocktail tastings, a to-be-revealed neat whiskey pour, and a snack box. (Who doesn’t love some bites with their bourbon?) Although ghost sightings aren’t guaranteed, guests won’t leave empty-handed. Every attendee gets to take home a one-liter bottle of Sazerac Rye 100-Proof and a special commemorative tote bag.

And while the self-guided tour is the new main seasonal attraction, one lucky winner and a guest can enjoy a more personal, customized experience. From October 15 to 22, aspiring ghoul seekers can enter to win the Night at the Distillery Private Ghost Hunting Experience. One winner (and a guest) will receive a Halloween prize package that includes:

• Round-trip coach airfare and ground transportation to and from Buffalo Trace
• A one-night stay (October 31) at Stony Point, Albert Blanton’s former home
• Dinner in Frankfort, Kentucky (October 31)
• Complimentary admission to the Night at the Distillery Self-Guided Tour (October 31)
• A bespoke, private ghost hunt “led by professional paranormal investigators and a distillery tour guide”
• Daytime Buffalo Trace tour and gift shop experience (November 1)

Buffalo Trace sits on one of the oldest operational distilling sites in the world. The current facility dates back to 1775. Over the centuries, local whiskey legends have included Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Elmer T. Lee, and more. 

“For more than 200 years, Buffalo Trace has been a place where history and legend intertwine,” Tyler Adams, general manager of Buffalo Trace Distillery, said in a statement provided to Food & Wine. “Night at the Distillery invites guests to step into those stories and experience that connection firsthand. We set out to create an experience unlike anything we’ve done before, one that lets guests walk in the footsteps of generations past and explore the Distillery’s lore in a whole new light.”

The Night at the Distillery series follows occasional reports of spirits sightings on distillery grounds, including a possible apparition with a striking resemblance to Albert Blanton. As with many paranormal reports, these stories are cherished by bourbon enthusiasts but remain unverified by the scientific community.