Buffalo Trace is a small batch bourbon, which is one of the main causes of its scarcity. Small batch bourbon is produced in small batches, so there is never more than a particular quantity available at any given time. This is due to the fact that traditional procedures used to create small-batch bourbons necessitate meticulous attention to detail and prolonged maturing times.
Bourbon must spend a minimum of two years in fresh, charred oak barrels before it can be deemed to be bourbon. While some bourbons are matured for as long as 20 years, many are aged for far longer than this. This is because bourbon develops more taste the longer it is matured, which is why many whiskey connoisseurs favor older bourbons.
Blending a few carefully chosen barrels together to generate a distinctive flavor profile is the process used to make small batch whiskey. The master distiller does this by precisely choosing the barrels that will be utilized and blending them together. Small batch bourbons are frequently more expensive than other varieties of whiskey because this procedure calls for a great deal of expertise and experience.
While making your own whiskey is a possibility, it is not a simple operation. Since making whiskey takes a lot of time, energy, and resources, most consumers opt to purchase their whiskey from a distillery. Additionally, there are stringent laws governing whiskey production, therefore it is illegal to create your own whiskey in many countries throughout the world.
The price of a barrel of Makers Mark, another well-known bourbon brand, can differ based on a number of variables. However, a barrel of Makers Mark often ranges in price from $800 to $1,000. This expense is a result of the high cost of producing bourbon, which includes the price of the barrels, the ingredients, and the labor.
In conclusion, the scarcity of Buffalo Trace is largely attributable to the fact that it is a traditional, small-batch bourbon. It is feasible to produce your own whiskey, but the technique is challenging, time-consuming, and illegal in many countries. In addition, bourbon production has a significant cost, making names like Buffalo Trace and Makers Mark frequently more expensive than other kinds of whiskey.
The price of an oak barrel is not mentioned in the article “The Shortage of Buffalo Trace: Understanding the Whiskey Industry”. However, an oak barrel can cost anything from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per barrel, depending on the size, quality, and origin of the barrel.
A normal 53-gallon barrel of bourbon holds about 200 bottles (each 750ml). The size of the bottles and the quantity of evaporation that takes place while the wine is aging, however, can affect this.