Buffalo Trace Bourbon is taking its acclaimed pop-up bar on a summer tour of four UK cities, starting at the Edinburgh Festival and ending in London Cocktail Week. The move is part of a strong package of support by UK distributor Hi-Spirits for the Buffalo Trace brand as sales of American whiskey continue to grow.
Along with Edinburgh and London, the Buffalo Bourbon Empire will set up shop in Manchester and Nottingham, offering whiskey dinners, bourbon and cocktail masterclasses, exclusive drink menus and the opportunity to sample the widest range of whiskeys from the award-winning Buffalo Trace Distillery available anywhere outside Kentucky itself.
In a quest to find Britain’s best bourbon bar, each city will also host a Buffalo Bourbon Battle contest. This will see two local bartenders work side-by-side to show off their skills with contenders given many different tasks to prove they are the best bourbon bar in the area, including a bourbon quiz, making a variety of bourbon cocktails, blind tastings, and much more.
Up for grabs will be a prize of a trip to the award-winning Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, along with a selection of limited-edition whiskeys from the acclaimed Buffalo Trace Antique Collection for the winners’ bars.
Alongside the flagship Buffalo Trace Bourbon, guests at the Bourbon Empire will be able to choose from a selection of more than 50 whiskeys. High demand is expected in each city on the tour for two showpiece tastings, one offering a chance to try whiskeys from recent annual releases of the five-strong Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, and the other featuring the award-winning Pappy Van Winkle range.
Tim Giles, Buffalo Trace brand manager with Hi-Spirits, said: “The Buffalo Bourbon Empire has been a great success wherever we’ve set up, and we’re delighted to be roaming to even more locations this summer.
“Interest in Bourbon and American whiskey has never been stronger in the UK, with sales forecast to grow by another 26% over the next five years*. Whether they’re a bourbon geek, a whiskey novice or just a lover of great cocktails, there’ll be something for everyone at the Buffalo Bourbon Empire.”
Locations and dates for the Buffalo Bourbon Empire are:
• Edinburgh Festival Fringe: Riverboat Casino @The Last Word Saloon, 6-10 August
• Nottingham: Last Chance Saloon, 14-19 August
• Manchester: Whiskey Jar, 21-26 August
• London: London Cocktail Week, 2-8 October
Hi-Spirits will be inviting bars to take part in the Buffalo Bourbon Battle; bars interested in competing should speak to their local Buffalo Trace representative or email info@buffalotrace.co.uk. Information on the Battle will be available online at www.buffalotrace.co.uk/bbb and details of events the Buffalo Bourbon Empire will be online at www.buffalotrace.co.uk/roamingbbe.
*Vinexpo/ IWSR Report March 2017
For more information on the Buffalo Trace range, contact Hi-Spirits on 01932 252 100, email info@hi-spirits.com, or visit www.hi-spirits.com.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About Buffalo Trace Distillery:
Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com. To download images from Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracemediakit.com
