Buffalo Trace Distillery has unveiled the 26th release of its Experimental Collection: Spirits Distilled from Grain and Hops. This innovative spirit merges the worlds of whiskey and beer, thoughtfully exploring how hops—typically associated with beer—can influence a spirit’s flavor profile.

The Role of Hops

Hops, the flowers from the hop plant (Humulus lupulus), play several key roles in beer production, including:

• Bitterness: They counterbalance the sweetness of malted barley during brewing.
• Aroma and Flavor: Various hop types infuse different scents and tastes, enhancing the beer’s profile.
• Preservation: Historically, hops served as a natural preservative.
• Stability: They aid in maintaining foam and clarity in the final product.

While hops are conventionally linked to beer, they do crossover into spirits production, where they enhance botanical characteristics akin to those found in gin. Recent trends in craft distilling have made hopped spirits, including hop-infused vodkas and gins, increasingly popular.

The distillation process involving hops must be handled delicately; otherwise, the high heat can diminish the potent hop oils’ flavors. Hence, distillers must carefully balance the amounts used to avoid overpowering bitterness.

Buffalo Trace’s Innovative Approach

Buffalo Trace has a long-standing tradition of experimenting with unique recipes and barrel aging, with over 30,000 experimental whiskey barrels currently maturing. Each barrel has distinctive characteristics based on various experimental changes including mash bills and wood types.

The Experimental Collection’s Executive Director, Andrew Duncan, shared that combining aspects of beer and whiskey in this new release reflects Buffalo Trace’s passion for pushing the boundaries of craft distilling.

Ten years in the making, Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley decided to investigate using hops in spirit production amid the rising popularity of hoppy beers. For this release, he infused Saaz noble hops, known for their use in Bohemian pilsners, and Zythos®, an American hop with tropical and herbal notes, into a raw distillate for thirty minutes before redistilling it. The infused whiskey matured in charred white oak for over eleven years.

Wheatley remarked, “This spirit embodies the bold hoppiness that beer lovers will enjoy alongside its whiskey-like qualities.”

Tasting Notes

Spirits Distilled from Grain and Hops

The spirit is characterized by a distinctly hoppy aroma, complemented by notes of citrus and herbs, along with vanilla and oak. On tasting, it presents a creamy texture with vibrant citrus flavors, notably lemon and orange zest, combined with fresh herbal nuances and robust oak. The finish is long-lasting, marked by herbal and citrus zest notes.

Wheatley suggests enjoying the spirit neat to fully appreciate its complexity, while also encouraging creativity in cocktail making—recommending its use in a Manhattan.

Availability: This unique spirit will be sold in limited quantities at the Buffalo Trace Distillery gift shop starting February 2025, priced at approximately $46.99 for a 375ml bottle.

For more information, visit the Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection.