As a bourbon enthusiast, completing my collection of Blanton’s horse stoppers was a small victory worth celebrating. But I wanted to take it one step further—I’d heard about Buffalo Trace Distillery’s program where they’ll mount your stoppers on a bourbon stave at a allocation release, turning them into a unique display piece. The process seemed a bit mysterious, so I thought I’d share my experience for others who might be considering the same.
Reaching Out to Buffalo Trace
After assembling all eight stoppers, I emailed Buffalo Trace Distillery’s gift shop on November 2nd, 2024, around 4 pm at [email protected]. I half-expected to wait a few days for a reply, but to my surprise, they got back to me the very next morning at 8:00 am. The quick response set the tone for what I hoped would be a smooth process.
Here’s the message I received:
Hello!
Thank you for contacting us, and congratulations on collecting all eight of your Blanton’s stoppers! To receive your stoppers on a stave at no charge, please follow the steps outlined below.
Please read carefully:
- Confirm that you have all eight individual stoppers, and ensure that they are used, not brand new.
- Keep in mind that there are two variations of “N” – the first as >> N << and the second as >> N: <<.
- When sending your package, please include your full name, address, phone number, and email address. Ensure these details are written clearly, and note that we can only ship to residential addresses—no PO boxes.
Send your package to the following address:
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Attn: Gift Shop
113 Great Buffalo Trace
Frankfort, KY 40601
IMPORTANT
Please be aware that lead times may be significantly longer due to extenuating circumstances and could take several months.
Unfortunately, we cannot confirm the receipt of your stoppers or provide an exact completion date. However, we do keep a log of when staves have been processed and shipped.
To verify that your stoppers arrived safely at Buffalo Trace Distillery, we recommend using a shipping method that includes tracking.
STAVES ARE LIMITED TO ONE PER HOUSEHOLD. PROGRAM GUIDELINES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
The email instructions seemed quite clear; however, the comment about them being used and not new seemed strange. After some research, I found that customers can purchase unused stoppers at the Buffalo Trace online gift shop. I assumed this is what they meant by new. For them to mount the stoppers you need to have purchased and consumed the product, not just bought the stoppers at the gift shop.
Preparing and Shipping the Stoppers
The detailed instructions made the next steps clear. I carefully checked each stopper to ensure they were all used and included the correct variation of the “N” stopper. Then, I packed them securely, along with my contact information, and opted for a tracked shipping method to keep an eye on the journey. I sent the package on November 9th and received a confirmation from USPS that the package was received on November 14th.
The Waiting Game
Buffalo Trace mentioned that mounting the stoppers on a stave could take several months due to “extenuating circumstances.” I’m prepared for the wait, knowing that the final display piece will be worth it. They don’t confirm receipt or provide a completion date, so I’ll be watching my tracking info closely for peace of mind. I will update this post once I have received the stoppers back.
Why the Stave Display is Special
For any collector, seeing the Blanton’s horse stoppers mounted together is a satisfying end to a journey of collecting. Each letter stopper (spelling out “B-L-A-N-T-O-N-S”) represents a different chapter in your bourbon experience, making the stave display a true trophy piece.
If you’re looking to create a similar display, reaching out to Buffalo Trace was a breeze, and they provided helpful, straightforward guidance. Now, it’s just a matter of time, and I can’t wait to see the finished piece when it finally arrives.
