Freddie Johnson is a beloved figure at Buffalo Trace Distillery who has made memories for thousands of people through his years guiding people through the historic distillery. Not only does he make memories, but he makes people feel better. In my mind, it is truly a God-given talent that enables Freddie to convey his knowledge through stories and real-life experiences while, at the same time, making people smile. His tours are unforgettable, and if you do not enjoy your time on a Freddie Johnson tour, you aren’t trying.

The incomparable Freddie Johnson

Johnson Family History

Freddie represents three generations of his family’s legacy in the bourbon industry. His grandfather, Jimmy Johnson Sr., was one of Kentucky’s first African American warehouse foremen, starting at the distillery in 1912. His father, Jimmy Johnson Jr., followed in his footsteps in 1936, becoming a highly respected warehouse supervisor and right-hand man to Colonel Blanton, the namesake of Blanton’s bourbon. A Buffalo Trace visitor center section illustrates the Johnson family’s contributions to the current Buffalo Trace Distillery. The distillery was also known as the George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, and Ancient Age Distillery during their tenure.

A lifetime of memories

Freddie himself grew up around the distillery, visiting often as a child. Although he initially pursued a successful career as a network engineer, Freddie ultimately returned to Buffalo Trace in 2002 to honor his promise to his father—to work at the distillery and continue the family tradition. Starting as a tour guide, Freddie quickly became a favorite among visitors, renowned for weaving personal family stories with the history of Buffalo Trace, offering a deeply personal and heartfelt perspective on bourbon. I cannot count the number of people who tell me about their experience with Freddie. Recently, while at the distillery, I enjoyed being given cell phones to take pictures of a long line of visitors with Freddie to record their experience.

His contributions

Freddie’s dedication to the distillery and its visitors has earned him numerous awards, including being inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2018. His storytelling and passion for bourbon history, as highlighted in the documentary Neat: The Story of Bourbon, continue inspiring visitors worldwide​. The current bourbon boom began before Freddie joined Buffalo Trace as a guide. However, I firmly believe he single-handedly created a legion of bourbon fans during his years at Buffalo Trace. I have known a lot of excellent guides at various distilleries in Kentucky. Many of them were terrific storytellers who were passionate about their industry. Freddie Johnson is the only one whose name comes up so frequently; it is a testament to his impact. Thank you, Freddie.

A true philanthropist

Freddie gives back in many ways, but I was impressed by a project he found very dear. Please take a moment to hear directly from Freddie about a project that is personal to him. The Incomparable Freddie Johnson.

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