Well-known country music artist Chris Stapleton is venturing into the world of whiskey, and his choice of partner for this exciting endeavor is none other than the iconic Buffalo Trace Distillery. Stapleton, best known for his hit song “Tennessee Whiskey,” is set to release “Traveller Whiskey” in the coming year.
In a departure from the expected Tennessee roots, Stapleton opted for Kentucky and Buffalo Trace as his whiskey-producing collaborator. The label for “Traveller Whiskey” carries a profound statement: “Good whiskey is a lot like a good song. It requires no explanation. One taste should tell you everything you need to know. No one has to tell you how to feel about it. You simply settle in & enjoy.” With a robust 90-proof, the spirit has been crafted under the watchful eye of Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley.
A Kentucky native himself, Stapleton’s close proximity to the renowned bourbon brand led to extensive tasting sessions with Wheatley, culminating in the selection of Blend No. 40, described as “a premium whiskey that speaks for itself.” Wheatley expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, citing Chris’s dedication to quality craftsmanship in both music and whiskey. Buffalo Trace has kept some details under wraps, but the whiskey is said to offer a friendly complexity with notes of oak, maple, currant, and leather.
“Traveller” is an apt name for this whiskey, as it aligns with Stapleton’s critically acclaimed solo studio album of the same name, released in 2015. Stapleton’s ongoing connection with Buffalo Trace was evident when he generously donated an $18,000 bottle of Buffalo Trace’s E.H. Taylor Jr. single barrel bourbon to the Franklin County Humane Society’s Rare Bourbon Raffle in November 2021.
As fans eagerly anticipate the release of “Traveller Whiskey,” it promises to be a harmonious blend of Stapleton’s passion for music and Buffalo Trace’s dedication to the art of whiskey-making. Stay tuned for more details as this exciting collaboration unfolds.
In case you missed it, check out Balvenie’s ‘A Revelation of Cask and Character’.