Month: February 2025

Raising a Glass to Buffalo Trace: The Bourbon Mudslide Cocktail

Posted on by Bourbonselector.com

Buffalo Trace Distillery has stood the test of time, surviving everything from Prohibition to natural disasters. Most recently, a weather-related mudslide on the northeast side of the property sent a Conex cargo container and a temporary office building into the river. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the distillery remains fully operational.

In honor of Buffalo Trace’s resilience, we’re giving the classic Mudslide cocktail a Kentucky twist—replacing vodka with Buffalo Trace Bourbon for a richer, more flavorful experience.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Mudslide Recipe

This smooth, dessert-inspired cocktail blends bourbon, coffee liqueur, and Irish cream for a deliciously bold take on a classic.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz Buffalo Trace Bourbon
  • 1 oz coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
  • 1 oz Irish cream liqueur (such as Baileys)
  • 2 oz heavy cream or milk
  • Ice
  • Whipped cream (optional)
  • Chocolate crispies for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
  2. Add Buffalo Trace Bourbon, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and heavy cream.
  3. Shake until well chilled.
  4. Drizzle chocolate syrup inside a chilled glass.
  5. Strain the mixture into the chilled glass.
  6. Top with whipped cream for extra indulgence.
  7. Sip and toast to Buffalo Trace’s enduring legacy.

A Toast to Strength and Bourbon

Buffalo Trace has faced its share of challenges, but its legacy—and its bourbon—remain strong. This Mudslide cocktail is a tribute to that resilience, proving that even when the ground shifts, great whiskey stands firm.

Cheers to Buffalo Trace and the spirit of perseverance!

Is 2025 the Year for Single Oak Project Bourbon?

Posted on by Bourbonselector.com

After years of waiting, bourbon fans have one burning question: Will Buffalo Trace finally release Single Oak Project Bourbon in 2025? While the distillery hasn’t made an official announcement, all signs point to this being the year.

Why 2025?

When Buffalo Trace announced the winning bourbon from its Single Oak Project in 2015, it was clear that fans would have to wait. Crafting the perfect recreation of Barrel #80 meant sourcing the right oak, allowing the staves to season, and then aging the bourbon. With that timeline, 2025 marks the first realistic opportunity for a release.

In the original press release announcing the winning barrel, Buffalo Trace stated:

“Buffalo Trace Distillery is now making plans to start producing the winning formula from Barrel #80 for future batches of Single Oak Bourbon. Only one frustration remains—this can’t happen overnight. The oak must be harvested, staves dried for 12 months, and then the bourbon must be aged for eight years. Mark your calendars for the year 2025!”

But as any bourbon fan knows, Buffalo Trace doesn’t give away secrets easily. While there’s been no official confirmation of a 2025 release, the years of planning—and intense demand—make it seem more likely than not.

Could It Become a Regular Allocated Bottle?

If Single Oak Project Bourbon does return, could it join Buffalo Trace’s lineup of highly sought-after allocated bottles? The distillery already offers daily releases of Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, and E.H. Taylor Small Batch, and a reintroduction of Single Oak Project—even in limited quantities—would undoubtedly cause a frenzy.

Buffalo Trace has already re-released non-winning Single Oak Project barrels more than a dozen times in late 2024 and again in early 2025, selling a significant amount while deliberately holding back some inventory. This strategy keeps the bourbon fresh in collectors’ minds and hints that more Single Oak releases could be coming.

While there’s no guarantee that Single Oak Project will become a permanent offering, it was never designed to be a one-time experiment. The entire initiative was about refining bourbon-making for future releases. With a treasure trove of data on wood grain, entry proof, and barrel selection, Buffalo Trace could be setting the stage to make Single Oak Project a recurring part of its premium rotation.

What to Expect If It Drops

If Buffalo Trace stays true to the Barrel #80 formula, expect a rye bourbon aged in barrels made from the lower portion of the tree, with staves seasoned for 12 months, a #4 char, and an entry proof of 125. The original release was praised for its balance of spice, depth, and complexity—qualities the distillery will undoubtedly aim to replicate.

So, will 2025 finally bring the return of Single Oak Project Bourbon? We don’t have official confirmation yet—but based on everything we know, this year seems like the best bet.