Sazerac
3 min read

Sazerac

From New Orleans Roots to Global Whiskey Royalty

Long before Kentucky bourbon became a global phenomenon, a bold, aromatic cocktail called the Sazerac was born in 19th-century New Orleans. That drink gave rise to a company that would grow into one of the most influential spirits producers in the world — The Sazerac Company.

Today, Sazerac is the family-owned powerhouse behind legendary American whiskey brands like Buffalo Trace, 1792, Eagle Rare, W.L. Weller, Blanton’s, Sazerac Rye, Pappy Van Winkle, Bowman and many more. Yet despite its size and success, Sazerac still operates with the heart and focus of a family distiller — patient, independent, and deeply rooted in tradition.

A Brief History of Sazerac

The story begins in New Orleans in the 1850s, where the original Sazerac Coffee House served a new kind of cocktail — a blend of rye whiskey, bitters, and sugar, stirred over ice and finished with a dash of absinthe. The drink became so famous that it inspired a company to produce its key ingredient: Sazerac Rye Whiskey.

Over the next century, the Sazerac Company expanded northward, acquiring distilleries, brands, and warehouses that would define the American whiskey renaissance. Its crown jewel acquisition came in 1992, when Sazerac purchased the historic Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky — unlocking a portfolio that would reshape global bourbon.


Their Whiskey Distilleries

 FRANKLIN COUNTY, KENTUCKY

Buffalo Trace Distillery

For over two centuries, Buffalo Trace Distillery has represented the beating heart of American bourbon. Nestled along the Kentucky River, this legendary site has survived fires, floods, Prohibition, and world wars.

The distillery’s heritage echoes through its remarkable collection of brands — Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, W.L. Weller, and Pappy Van Winkle and Sazerac Rye — each distinct yet bound by a shared pursuit of excellence.

Guided by Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace continues to push boundaries with experimental projects, while remaining rooted in the spirit that made it the Distiller of the Year and Visitor Attraction of the Year multiple times over.

More information On Buffalo Trace

 

BARDSTOWN, KENTUCKY

Barton 1792 Distillery

Just down the road in Bardstown stands Barton 1792 Distillery, the oldest fully operational distillery in the town. Founded in 1879 and built around the crystal-clear Tom Moore Spring, Barton 1792 sits across 196 acres of rolling Kentucky landscape, dotted with 29 aging warehouses that house some of the state’s most prized barrels.

 Its whiskies, including 1792 and Very Old Barton are known for their bold structure, balanced sweetness, and refined complexity, a style that earned 1792 Full Proof the title of World’s Best Whiskey in 2020 by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.

More information about Barton 1792 

FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA

A. Smith Bowman Distillery

Few names in American whiskey carry the heritage and quiet pride of A. Smith Bowman Distillery. Founded in 1934 by A. Smith Bowman in Fairfax County. The Distillery focuses on small-batch, hand-crafted bourbons and limited releases.

Today, A. Smith Bowman stands proudly as  being Twice named “World’s Best Bourbon” at the World Whiskies Awards. The distillery remains a testament to craftsmanship, family values, and the enduring spirit of innovation that has defined Virginia whiskey for nearly a century.

Its brands include: Bowman Brothers, John J. Bowman

More information about A.Smith Bowman Distillery
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