Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Proof: 90
Age: No Age Statement (thought to be between 8-10 years)
Mashbill: Buffalo Trace’s #1 Mashbill (thought to be made of 10% or less rye)
Price: $30
Company
Buffalo Trace (Sazerac Company) is arguably the most well-known distillery on the planet. Its lineup includes the likes of Pappy, E.H. Taylor, Blanton’s, Elmer T. Lee, W.L. Weller, and more.
Production
Buffalo Trace bourbon is the distillery’s standard bottle, introduced in 1999 after the Sazerac Company changed the name of their famous distillery in Frankfort, KY. The bourbon is batched from no more than 40 barrels at a time and is aged on the middle floors of various warehouses so it can experience the most temperature changes while aging.
Buffalo Trace Flavor Profile
Nose – 92/100
The nose is simple and light with notes of oak and dark chocolate. There are also feint hints of vanilla and caramel. It’s very inviting and makes you wonder if the palate will be the same.
Palate – 91/100
BT is sweet and mellow. I tasted mostly vanilla with a touch of spice and a slight hint of brown sugar. Some may think it’s too sweet, but it’s a fan favorite nonetheless.
It does a great job of maintaining easy drinking while also having a touch of character. The only thing I have against it is it’s a bit thinner than I had hoped for. For instance, it doesn’t have as much flavor (in my opinion) as Weller Special Reserve which has a similar MSRP.
Finish – 94/100
The finish is on the shorter side and is much more flavorful than expected. The hints of vanilla lingered throughout, accompanied by oak and pepper. It’s honestly surprising how low the proof is.
Value – 95/100
Buffalo Trace isn’t the best bourbon you’ll ever taste. It’s also not the most unique. But that’s exactly what it’s aiming for.
The goal was to provide a great value bottle that represented the distillery (Buffalo Trace). And they did that just about as good as anyone.
Buffalo Trace is simple and sweet with a flavorful finish, which is why it’s so popular. Where it really stands out is the price. There are very few bourbons that can compete with BT for $30.
The main thing to watch is whether the price continues going up. It has already jumped from ~$25 to $30-$40 depending on where you buy it. If it ends up going for $50-$60 like Weller Special Reserve, you’re going to be better off going with something else.
But for now, buy it and enjoy.
Buffalo Trace Review…the Verdict
93/100
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 95+
- Gold – 90 – 94
- Silver – 80 – 89
- Bronze – <80
Bourbons Like Buffalo Trace
Buffalo Trace FAQs
1. What’s so great about Buffalo Trace?
Mainly the value. Buffalo Trace is a cheap whiskey that doesn’t taste cheap. It’s also a crowdpleaser that many bourbon beginners and enthusiasts alike enjoy.
2. Is Buffalo Trace a good beginner whiskey?
Yes, it’s one of the best bourbons for beginners due to its price and mellow flavor profile.
3. Is Buffalo Trace a sipping whiskey?
Yes, it’s one of the easiest bourbons to drink. Its low proof and mellow flavor profile make it a great bourbon to drink neat.
If You Liked This Buffalo Trace Review…
You should check out this detailed comparison I did between Weller Special Reserve and Buffalo Trace.
They have similar MSRPs but Weller is a wheated bourbon that I think actually has a better flavor profile.
Hunter Branch is the Founder and Director of Editorial for Bourbon Inspector. He has been writing about and professionally reviewing bourbon since 2020 (and has been drinking it for much longer). He’s been able to interview big names in the bourbon industry like Trey Zoeller from Jefferson’s Bourbon and his work has been featured in publications like TastingTable, Mashed, and more.