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Buffalo Traces Targets Kosher Whiskey Drinkers With New Releases

The venerable Buffalo Trace distillery in Kentucky has a lot of whiskey product lines in its stable, there is no doubt about it. The powers that be there though seem interested in continuing to expand what they offer, however, and the latest segment they are going after are Kosher whiskey drinkers via a trio of new releases believed to be the first authentic Kosher whiskeys ever to be sold.

The new Buffalo Trace Kosher whiskeys, according to those behind them, were created under the guidance of the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc-Kosher), which the distillery began working with in 2010 to develop them. In 2012 the cRc oversaw the sale of new American oak Kosher barrels in a contract of sale to a non-Jewish executive, Buffalo Trace Distillery President Mark Brown, where they were filled with whiskey and put away in specially marked “Kosher whiskey” barrels to age.

Once the whiskeys reached the desired age earlier this year, the bottling lines at the distillery were flushed completely beforehand to ensure the brown spirit was not exposed to any non-Kosher spirits. The new whiskeys are being made available in three styles: Kosher Rye Recipe Bourbon, Kosher Wheat Recipe Bourbon and Kosher Straight Rye Whiskey.

Buffalo Trace Kosher Whiskeys
The new Buffalo Trace Kosher whiskeys (image via Buffalo Trace)

“This is a milestone in the spirits industry to produce a truly Kosher whiskey,” said Brown, owner of the Kosher barrels at Buffalo Trace, in a prepared statement. “We know Kosher products are very important to the Jewish community as well as a broader audience, we are fully committed to ensuring that the entire chain of custody remains Kosher so the purchaser has 100% confidence this is a Kosher whiskey.” 

“We’re excited that our partnership which we began ten years ago has come to fruition,” added Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, kashrus administrator Chicago Rabbinical Council, “Our members have shown great interest in the prospect of being able to enjoy a Kosher whiskey. We are very happy Buffalo Trace has taken the steps to make sure this happens.”

Plans call for the allocated Buffalo Trace Kosher whiskeys, each bottled at 94 proof, to be released after Passover ends this year on April 16 (Kosher law mandates that whiskey should not be owned or consumed by Jews during Passover). Bottles will sell through wholesalers and retailers before Passover begins again in 2021. 

The labels on the whiskey bottles depict both Buffalo Trace Distillery logo and the cRc-Kosher logo.  Each expression of Buffalo Trace Kosher Whiskey will price around $40 per 750 ml bottle. 

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