Founded in 1792, the Buffalo Trace Distillery is located in Frankfort, in the state of Kentucky. Owned by the Sazerac group, it has been known under several names including George T. Stagg and Old Fire Copper (OFC), and is thought to be the oldest distillery in operation in the United States. It produces an eponymous brand of bourbon, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, as well as numerous other brands including William Larue Weller, Thomas H. Handy, Georges T. Stagg and the famous Pappy Van Winkle.

Blanton’’s Special Reserve is the brand’’s entry-level expression. This single barrel was matured in Warehouse H, which was built by Albert B. Banton after Prohibition and has the unique feature of being covered in metal. As metal is a stronger conductor of heat than brick, Blanton’’s ages differently and faster than other bourbons produced at Buffalo Trace. Since 1999, Blanton’’s has had eight different stoppers, each depicting a jockey and his horse in different positions. Each version bears a letter which, if you own every version, forms the word ‘Blanton’’s’’.