That headline might be our version of saying, “Can I have some?” Because once we heard that Buffalo Trace Distillery is bringing out a batch of vintage “O.F.C.” bourbons, our mouths started watering.
Buffalo Trace’s O.F.C. Distillery is a National Historic Landmark that began operation in 1870. While it is still in use today, its initials are now known for making some of the most rarefied bourbons in the world.
The last time O.F.C. bourbons went up for sale, in 2016, Buffalo Trace bottled spirits from 1980, 1982, and 1983 and then gave them away to charities for fundraising purposes. The bottles raised a stunning $1.2 million.
This time around, Buffalo Trace has bottled O.F.C. bourbons from 1985, 1989, and 1990. Amazingly, these unique vintages rendered entirely different volumes. The 1985 barrel yielded 61 bottles, and the 1990 barrel produced 63, but the 1989 barrel produced only 18 bottles. And we can only imagine what that tastes like…
Once you get a look at them, it’s easy to see why they’re so desirable even if you know little about the spirit. Each bottle is made out of crystal with in-laid copper lettering and a hand-placed label that notes the milestones for the vintage year. They also come in a wooden display box, bearing a retail price tag of $2,500.
Also, just to be clear, this is the first time the general public will have gotten a crack at these bourbons, and they’re out there. Right. Now. Somewhere.
So…if you find one, can we have some?