The American West has always been a land of larger-than-life figures, and few loom as large as William F. Cody, better known to history as Buffalo Bill. His Wild West shows brought the romance of the frontier to millions, turning cowboys, sharpshooters, and Native American warriors into international celebrities long before Hollywood existed. Now, a small distillery tucked away in the shadow of the Bighorn Mountains is paying tribute to that legacy in the most fitting way possible—with a bottle of bourbon that carries the weight of Wyoming's wide-open spaces.
Wyoming Whiskey, a family-run operation out of Kirby, has just announced that its limited-edition Buffalo Bill Cody bourbon is leaving the state lines for the first time. What started as a Wyoming-only release back in June 2025 is now rolling out to liquor store shelves across a dozen carefully chosen markets this fall. For those who know their whiskey, this isn't just another celebrity tie-in. It's a straight-from-the-source pour made with grains grown in the same soil that Cody himself rode across more than a century ago.
The bourbon itself stays true to the original recipe that earned praise from in-state drinkers. Every kernel of corn, winter wheat, winter rye, and barley comes from farms in the Bighorn Basin, pulled from the earth by the same limestone-filtered water that feeds the region's ranches. The distillery handles every step—mashing, fermenting, distilling, aging, and bottling—right there in Kirby. The only change for this wider release is a slight drop in proof, from 48.5% alcohol by volume in the Wyoming exclusive down to 48% for the national bottles. It's a small adjustment that keeps the spirit smooth enough for sipping neat after a long day in the shop or around the campfire.
Starting this fall, hunters heading into the Rockies, fishermen working the streams of the Northeast, and barbecue masters firing up pits in the Carolinas will all have a shot at grabbing a bottle. The selected states read like a map of America's outdoor heartland: Oregon, Utah, Idaho, Montana, North Carolina, Virginia, Michigan, Maine, Pennsylvania, Iowa, New York, Florida, and Colorado. Each market was picked for its connection to the kind of rugged, self-reliant country that Buffalo Bill celebrated in his shows.
The story of Wyoming Whiskey runs deeper than marketing. The Mead family first put down roots in Wyoming as ranchers back in 1890, the same year statehood arrived. More than 130 years later, they're still working the land, but now they're turning part of the harvest into something that warms the soul. Their distillery sits on ground that ties directly to the state's 97,818 square miles of mountains, plains, and river bottoms. Every barrel aged in their rickhouses breathes the dry, high-altitude air that gives the whiskey its distinctive character.
This isn't the first time Wyoming Whiskey has looked to the land for inspiration. Earlier releases have honored places like Acadia National Park, proving the brand knows how to bottle a sense of place. But there's something special about naming a bourbon after Buffalo Bill. Cody wasn't just a showman; he was a scout, a Pony Express rider, a Medal of Honor recipient, and a tireless promoter of the West's possibilities. He understood that the frontier spirit wasn't about conquest—it was about building something lasting.
Pour a glass of the Buffalo Bill Cody bourbon and you're getting more than alcohol. The nose carries hints of vanilla and caramel from the charred oak barrels, backed by the spice of that winter rye. On the palate, the corn sweetness balances the grain's earthiness, finishing with a warmth that lingers like a good story told around a fire. At 48% proof, it's strong enough to stand up in an old-fashioned but gentle enough for slow sipping while watching the sun drop behind the mountains.
For collectors, the bottle itself tells part of the tale. The label features Cody in his trademark buckskin, rifle in hand, with the Wyoming Whiskey logo prominently displayed. Each bottle comes with a hang tag detailing the bourbon's origins and the slight proof difference from the state-exclusive release. Serious enthusiasts will want to compare the two side by side, though tracking down the original 48.5% version now means knowing someone in Wyoming or paying secondary market prices.
The expansion comes at a time when American whiskey is enjoying a renaissance. Craft distilleries are popping up from coast to coast, but few can claim the kind of terroir that Wyoming Whiskey brings to the table. Their grains aren't shipped in from the Midwest corn belt—they're grown steps from the distillery, in soil enriched by the same mountain runoff that fills the Bighorn River. The water source, drawn from ancient aquifers beneath the basin, carries minerals that shape the mash from the very first fermentation.
Distillery tours in Kirby remain a well-kept secret among whiskey travelers. Visitors walk through the same rooms where the Buffalo Bill Cody bourbon was born, watching copper stills gleam under warehouse lights and breathing in the angel's share rising from rows of aging barrels. The Meads haven't forgotten their ranching roots; you'll still see cattle grazing on land adjacent to the distillery, a reminder that this operation stays connected to the working West.
Retailers in the selected states report strong pre-orders, with many planning special tasting events to mark the arrival. In Montana, where Cody spent his final years, some stores are pairing the bourbon with local beef jerky and sharp cheddar for sampling tables. Colorado outlets near the old Wild West show grounds are setting up displays with vintage posters alongside the bottles. Even in Florida, far from Cody's stomping grounds, the whiskey's story resonates with snowbirds who spent summers in the Rockies.
The limited nature of this release means it won't stick around forever. Wyoming Whiskey has committed to producing only enough to satisfy these new markets without compromising quality or flooding the shelf. Once the allocated cases are gone, collectors will be chasing the next special edition—rumors already swirl about future tributes to other Western icons.
For anyone who's ever tied on a pair of boots, thrown a line in a mountain stream, or spent a Saturday restoring a classic truck in the garage, this bourbon speaks directly to that experience. It's made by people who live the life, not corporate suits in a boardroom. The Mead family's connection to Wyoming runs through every drop, from the water to the wheat to the wood that gives the spirit its color and soul.
Buffalo Bill Cody once said, "Every Indian outbreak that I have ever known has resulted from broken promises and broken treaties by the government." His words carried weight because he lived among both settlers and Native tribes, understanding the complex reality behind the myths. Wyoming Whiskey honors that complexity by staying true to its own promises—using local grains, local water, local labor, and local pride.
As the bottles hit shelves this fall, they're carrying more than whiskey. They're carrying a piece of the American story, distilled down to its essence and aged to perfection. Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or mixed into a favorite cocktail, the Buffalo Bill Cody bourbon invites drinkers to slow down, savor the moment, and remember the men who built the West—one ride, one show, one promise at a time.
The distillery's commitment shows in the details. Barrels are hand-selected for each batch, ensuring consistency across the limited run. The slight proof reduction for national distribution actually enhances approachability without sacrificing character—a smart move for introducing Wyoming's flavors to new palates. Master distillers monitor every stage, from the moment grains arrive at the mill to the final corking of each bottle.
Looking ahead, Wyoming Whiskey continues to prove that small-batch doesn't mean small ambition. Their partnership with the land itself—97,818 square miles of inspiration—sets them apart in a crowded field. The Buffalo Bill Cody release is more than a product launch; it's a declaration that the West's spirit is alive and well, ready to be poured into glasses across the country.
For those lucky enough to live in one of the selected states, the hunt is on. Check local liquor stores, ask about allocations, and don't wait too long. This isn't the kind of bourbon that gathers dust on shelves—it's meant to be opened, shared, and remembered. Just like the man himself, the Buffalo Bill Cody limited edition is riding into town for a limited engagement, leaving its mark on everyone who raises a glass.
