By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Original Grain has partnered with Buffalo Trace Bourbon to create innovative, limited-edition watches from bourbon barrels.
The licensing agreement was brokered by Buffalo Trace’s licensing agency, Brandgenuity. Brandgenuity is also responsible for managing the development and rollout of the licensing program.
The co-branded product release will feature two watch types, the Buffalo Trace Chrono and the Buffalo Trace Barrel. The BT Chrono has a 44mm green metallic face, with the Buffalo Trace tear revealing the barrel wood behind it. Reclaimed barrel wood can also be found in the watch band and bezel. The BT Barrel features hand-charred barrel wood and gold accents on the face.
“At Buffalo Trace, we honor tradition and embrace change in everything we do, from barrel to bourbon, and we are always looking for innovative opportunities that allow us to share our products with even more bourbon lovers around the world,” said Sara Saunders, VP of Global Marketing at Buffalo Trace. “We’re excited to partner with Original Grain for these unique and authentic timepieces that embody our brand heritage and craft.”
Original Grain has been handcrafting watches from reclaimed materials for the last decade. They have released collections made from beer barrels, military ammo crates, plastic recovered from the ocean, and hardwoods from around the world.
Focused on sustainability, Original Grain has planted nearly 600,000 trees, recovered 250,000 plastic bottles from the ocean, and helped combat veterans through the music therapy program Guitars 4 Vets.
“A perfect opportunity,” said Andrew Beltran, Co-Founder of Original Grain and Marine Veteran. “With us being a premium, coveted wood watch brand, Buffalo Trace was the only bourbon that made sense to partner with on this project.”
Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully-operational alcohol distillery that produces bourbon, rye and vodka on site. The Distillery’s history dates back to 1775 and it is registered as a National Historic Landmark.
The licensed watch collection will be limited to 250 pieces of each design. The Buffalo Trace Chrono and the Buffalo Trace Barrel will be available for purchase exclusively on Original Grain’s official website and at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Franklin County, Kentucky.