Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced the 26th release from its innovative Experimental Collection: Spirits Distilled from Grain and Hops. As the Distillery’s latest example of its commitment to “Honor Tradition, Embrace Change,” the new addition examines how an ingredient commonly used in beer production impacts a spirit’s final flavor profile.
A decade ago, when bitter beers with floral aromas were growing in popularity, Harlen Wheatley, master distiller for Buffalo Trace, questioned how the presence of hops would impact a spirit. He infused two distinct hops—Saaz noble hops, a Czechoslovakian variety commonly found in Bohemian pilsners, and Zythos, an American hop with tropical and subtle herbal notes—into a raw distillate for 30 minutes. The new make distillate, infused with European and American hops, was redistilled and aged in charred white oak casks for 11 years and seven months.
Wheatley commented: “Hoppy beers are a playground for brewers; there are many techniques used to capture different flavors. It inspired us to play around with this essential beer ingredient as well. Thanks to the eleven-plus years of aging, the hop aroma and hop flavors are evident while providing a balanced bitterness that blends well with the spirit’s oaky whiskey character.”
Andrew Duncan, Buffalo Trace Distillery global director, commented: "At the core of our Experimental Collection is a passion for pushing boundaries and creating unforgettable drinking experiences for our fans. After tasting it with our distillers, we agreed the 26th release embodies our relentless drive for innovation. Merging the worlds of beer and whiskey is especially exciting—we believe beer lovers will appreciate its bold hoppiness while discovering the depth of its whiskey-like qualities. A spirit like this, crafted at this scale, is truly rare."
Currently, more than 30,000 experimental barrels of whiskey are aging in Buffalo Trace Distillery’s warehouses. Each of the barrels has unique characteristics and experimental changes in the mash bill, types of wood, barrel toasts, and more. Since not every experiment is deemed worthy of bottling, these whiskeys are released periodically and sold on a limited basis.
Buffalo Trace Experimental Spirits Distilled from Grain and Hops (RRP $46.99) will be available in limited quantities on select dates at the Buffalo Trace Distillery gift shop, beginning late January 2025. Due to the limited nature of these releases, all expressions from the Experimental Collection will be offered in 375ml bottles. Learn more about the Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection series through Buffalo Trace’s website.