First launched in 2023, this annual release revives long-lost whiskey brands that were bottled during Prohibition as “medicinal spirits.” Each set features five unique whiskeys, packaged with vintage-style labels and a dose of American history.
In this guide, you’ll learn what the Prohibition Collection is, why it’s so hard to find, and whether it’s worth the hunt.
What Is the Buffalo Trace Prohibition Collection?
Each set includes five 375ml bottles, each one reviving a different label originally bottled at the distillery during Prohibition. The packaging mimics vintage designs, complete with space for a doctor’s prescription.
What Has Been Released So Far?
As of 2025, there have been two Prohibition Collection releases from Buffalo Trace.
Must Read Stories
The first release arrived in 2023 and included five revived brands: Old Stagg, Golden Wedding, Three Feathers, Walnut Hill, and Spiritus Frumenti. Each one represented a different style, from high-proof bourbon to rye and wheated bourbon. The set offered a broad tasting experience with vintage-style packaging and a strong historical connection.
The second release launched in early 2025. This time, Buffalo Trace focused on brands associated with Albert B. Blanton, who led the distillery during Prohibition. The lineup included Mirror Brook, Very Oldest Procurable, Anderson’s Belle, Old Fashioned Mountain Corn, and Silver Wedding Rye. The selection featured everything from corn whiskey to barrel-proof rye, showcasing a wide range of classic American whiskey styles.
Both editions were released as full five-bottle sets, priced at $999.99, and quickly became hard to find at retail.
Why Is Buffalo Trace So Hard to Find?
Buffalo Trace is one of the most sought-after names in American whiskey, and demand has outpaced supply for years. The distillery has expanded production, but because bourbon takes years to mature, the shortage continues.
Most of its releases, including the Prohibition Collection, are made in limited quantities and allocated to specific markets. That means stores receive small amounts, and bottles often sell out within hours.
Add in strong word-of-mouth, collector interest, and growing global demand, and it’s no surprise that even the standard Buffalo Trace bourbon can be hard to track down.
Is Buffalo Trace Considered Top Shelf?
It depends on which bottle you’re talking about.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon, the flagship release, is affordable, approachable, and widely available in many parts of the U.S. It’s often considered an entry-level bourbon and a solid choice for everyday drinking, but not necessarily top shelf.
However, many other whiskeys produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery are firmly in top-shelf territory. Bottles like Blanton’s, E.H. Taylor, George T. Stagg, Pappy Van Winkle, and the Antique Collection are released in small batches, aged for years, and highly coveted by collectors. The Prohibition Collection, with its vintage-inspired packaging and limited production, fits into this upper tier as well.
In short, while not everything with the Buffalo Trace name is top shelf, many of its most sought-after expressions absolutely are.
Is Buffalo Trace Collectible?
Yes. Buffalo Trace has become one of the most collectible names in American whiskey.
Many of its limited releases, like the Antique Collection, Blanton’s variants, and Pappy Van Winkle (which is also produced at the distillery), are chased by collectors around the world. Bottles often sell out immediately and appear on the secondary market at much higher prices.
The Prohibition Collection adds another layer of appeal. It combines historical branding, unique whiskey styles, and very limited production. For collectors who value rarity and story, it checks every box.
Whether you’re looking to drink it or display it, the Prohibition Collection is a prized addition to any serious whiskey collection.
A Tribute To Prohibition, & Liquid History
The Buffalo Trace Prohibition Collection is more than a limited release. It’s a tribute to a defining moment in American whiskey history and a showcase of forgotten labels brought back to life.
Each year’s set offers a new mix of styles, stories, and flavors, all wrapped in vintage-inspired packaging. With its limited availability and high price point, it’s not easy to find, but for collectors and enthusiasts, it offers something rare, both in taste and in spirit.
