In the layered, almost geological way that American whiskey history tends to unfold, Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced the coming of the John G. Carlisle Cafe, a new on-site dining space set to open in Spring 2026. It’s less a simple addition than a narrative loop—an homage to a man who helped define bourbon as we know it, and whose name once hung over a distillery now long gone.
John G. Carlisle Cafe at the Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse
The café, a 4,900-square-foot operation tucked into the first floor of the Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse, will offer seating for 70, split between indoor tables and a porch that looks like the right place to linger over a sandwich after a tour. The menu will skew toward fresh, made-to-order lunches—sandwiches, salads, soups—plus a kids’ selection and a tight cocktail list featuring Buffalo Trace spirits.
“We see this as a natural extension of our legacy of hospitality and craftsmanship,” said Tyler Adams, General Manager at Buffalo Trace. “It’s another way to connect with guests, whether they’re here for a tasting, a tour, or just to enjoy a meal in a place steeped in bourbon history.”
Visitors won’t be able to simply wander in. Lunch guests will check in through the Distillery’s Freehouse welcome building, next to the main parking lot. From there, the café becomes a waypoint—before a tour, after a tasting, or as a stand-alone stop for those who want to eat within sight of the distillery’s warehouses.
Honoring John G. Carlisle: The Man Behind the Bottled-in-Bond Act
The name is not a marketing flourish. John G. Carlisle was a U.S. Congressman who played a key role in passing the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, legislation that set the first federal standards for American whiskey’s quality and authenticity. Buffalo Trace forefather Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr., never one to miss a gesture, named one of his two distilleries after Carlisle. That Carlisle Distillery, later managed by Albert B. Blanton, was eventually renamed the Kentucky River Distillery and demolished in 1936 to make way for the current mash house.
To tie the circle, a commemorative plaque and original stone from the Carlisle Distillery—now sitting near Guardhouse 1—will be moved to the flowerbed beside the café entrance.
Construction is already underway. Hours will be announced closer to opening, but the date is set: Spring 2026, when a name from bourbon’s legislative past will once again welcome guests to the grounds of Buffalo Trace.
To book a tour, head over to the brand’s official website.
Other Buffalo Trace News:
Buffalo Trace Unleashes Sazerac Rye 100 Proof—A Spicy Salute to Cocktail Craftsmanship
Buffalo Trace Unveils Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Distiller’s Council: A Once-in-a-Generation Bourbon Honoring a Legend
