Is Blanton’s really worth the premium price tag? Or is Buffalo Trace just as good and 1/4th the price?
Good questions, bourbon padawan.
Which is the better value?
In this detailed Buffalo Trace vs. Blanton’s comparison, I’ll tell you everything you need to know so you can decide for yourself which bottle to grab.
Buffalo Trace vs Blanton’s Bourbon: An Overview
Both Buffalo Trace and Blanton’s come from the same distillery…Buffalo Trace.
BT is the flagship, budget option, and Blanton’s is one of their “premium” expressions.
Additionally, they both belong to the “Sazerac family” of bourbons, which also includes a variety of other spirits including Eagle Rare, E.H. Taylor, Weller, and others.
From a 10,000ft view, there are 3 important differences between Buffalo Trace and Blanton’s.
- Blanton’s is a single barrel bourbon while Buffalo Trace isn’t (unless you buy a store pick)
- Blanton’s is bottled at a slightly higher proof than Buffalo Trace (93 instead of 90)
- The Buffalo Trace distillery uses several different mashbills–Buffalo Trace uses #1 and Blanton’s uses #2
These 3 things account for most of the differences you’re about to see between the two.
Buffalo Trace vs Blanton’s Bourbon: A Detailed Comparison
1. Availability
Both bottles can be hard to come across, but Buffalo Trace is significantly easier to find.
Depending on your region, Buffalo Trace might not even be allocated (meaning released to stores in limited batches). Blanton’s on the other hand is highly allocated everywhere.
And since they make more of their flagship brand, Buffalo Trace has a higher supply (which causes a lower demand as it compares to Blanton’s).
Winner = Buffalo Trace
2. Price
Buffalo Trace is one of the best budget pours in bourbon. You can grab a bottle for about $25-$30.
Blanton’s price, on the other hand, is impacted by the secondary bourbon market (i.e. people reselling). That means the pricing is inconsistent and you can see a bottle from anywhere between $100-$150 on average.
It’s simple math, my friend.
Winner = Buffalo Trace
3. Taste
Both bourbons are sweet and easy to drink.
BT is sweet and mellow with notes of dark chocolate and oak and a feint vanilla and caramel undertones. With a tinge of spice and a little whiff of brown sugar, my palate was largely filled with vanilla.
Although some people might find it to be excessively sweet or generally lacking richness, it nevertheless has a loyal following. The only drawback I can think of is that it’s a little bit thinner (tastes a bit watered down) than I had anticipated.
I had the same feel for Blanton’s. The nose is subtle with notes of creamy caramel, vanilla, and hints of butterscotch. The palate was thin and had notes of brown sugar, honey, and caramel.
But Blanton’s has significantly more flavor and character than Buffalo Trace. And that makes sense because it’s a single-barrel bourbon.
Winner = Blanton’s
4. Value
Blanton’s is one of the most approachable and easy-to-drink bourbons I’ve ever had. The only reason I really buy it is due to the hype around it and the fact that it’s not readily available. I would happily spend $60 for a bottle of Blanton’s on a regular basis if it weren’t allocated.
On the other side, Buffalo Trace isn’t the best bourbon you’ll ever taste, but it’s incredibly popular because it’s simple, delicious, and a must-try if you’re new to the game.
It really stands out in terms of pricing. BT is one of the best value buys in bourbon, so it blows Blanton’s out of the water here.
Winner = Buffalo Trace
5. Verdict
Blanton’s may be a pleasant sipper but it isn’t worth the hype in my opinion.
Buffalo Trace is the better buy for casual drinkers. It has a similar flavor profile, is more economical, and is easier to find.
There are several bourbons that taste similar to Blanton’s that are in the $50 range and can be found anywhere.
That’s not to say that Blanton’s is bad. It’s worth buying for ~$60. The issue is you’ll have to spend over $100 for a bottle these days.
You’re paying more for hype than quality at that price.
Looking for a more in-depth analysis of each bottle?
Click here to read the Buffalo Trace Review and here to read the Blanton’s Bourbon review.
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.