15 Best Buffalo Trace Bourbons Ranked: Full Guide (2023)
Last Updated on August 21, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Buffalo Trace is one of the distilleries that’s reached full mythic status. Bourbon lovers around the world talked about secret mash bills, hallowed brick rickhouses, and rare spirits made on their stills.
So if you’re into bourbons, you should not miss the Buffalo Trace spirits.
In this article, let’s explore what Buffalo Trace has to offer. Check out the best Buffalo Trace bourbons that you need to try now. Let’s get started.
Top 15 Buffalo Trace Bourbons
15. E.H. Taylor Straight Rye
Average Price: around $249.47
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Alcohol Content: 50% ABV
Why We Like It: This spirit features an aroma of black pepper, dried fruit, and a splash of fresh dill.
In just a small sip, you can savor a variety of flavors —which is on the sugary side— with an impressive balance of mild caramel and dark spices.
14. Sazerac Rye
Average Price: around $49.99
Distillery: Sazerac (Buffalo Trace)
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV
Why We Like It: You’ll love how mature Sazerac Rye is. You can expect notes of leather molasses, oak, and all-spice. Its warm and long finish continues with mint, cinnamon, vanilla, pepper, and eucalyptus notes.
13. Thomas H. Handy Rye
Average Price: around $799.99
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: This powerful and complex spirit features vibrant and bold flavors of citrus, honey, and fig cake. The finish gives a touch of spice and hints of coconut and spices that feels satisfying.
12. Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye
Average Price: around $1899.99
Distillery: Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery (in partnership with Buffalo Trace Distillery)
Alcohol Content: 47.8% ABV
Why We Like It: This deep copper-colored bourbon spirit impresses bourbon lovers with its powerful caramel, sweet tobacco, and spice aromas. After one sip, you’ll love its soft, broad entry leading to a full-bodied taste.
Savor the hints of roasted nut, sweet toffee, and leather notes with white pepper, dried fruit, and spice flavors on the finish.
11. Pappy Van Winkle
Average Price: around $2500
Distillery: Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery (in partnership with Buffalo Trace Distillery)
Alcohol Content: 45.2% ABV
Why We Like It: This golden oak-colored Pappy Van Winkle spirit is medium-bodied with vanilla, maple syrup, and honey palate.
Everyone will love its light sawdust and coconut aromas with a little spicy and peppery yet soft finish. Its general sweetness with some oakiness on the tail is a must-try.
10. William Larue Weller Bourbon
Average Price: around $999.99
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Alcohol Content: 62.65% ABV
Why We Like It: The fragrant smell of new leather, caramel, plums, pipe tobacco, and light toffee is very interesting. Its marshmallow, nougat, salted almonds, and figs and dates will cover your palate. Expect a smooth and flavorfully sweet finish.
9. W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Average Price: around $59.99
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV
Why We Like It: Featuring honey and caramel notes on the nose, this bourbon provides a smooth finish with a sugary honeysuckle flair.
Every bourbon lover will surely love its soft woodiness taste with bits of butterscotch and honey.
8. Blanton’s Single Barrel
Average Price: around $129.99
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Alcohol Content: 46.5% ABV
Why We Like It: Another of the best Buffalo Trace Bourbon is Blanton’s Single Barrel. It features deep and satisfying aromas of spices and nutmeg.
Its robust dry vanilla notes with bits of honey, caramel, and corn lead to a medium finish. You get the taste of nutmeg flavors and returning corn.
7. Ancient Age Bourbon
Average Price: around $19.99
Distillery: Ancient Age Distillery (under Buffalo Trace Distillery)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: This bourbon features the scent of corn, vanilla, toffee, and caramel. Its lingering smooth finish gives a hint of citrus and toffee. We can say it’s a simple spirit yet powerful in its own way —definitely one of the best.
6. Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon
Average Price: around $399.97
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV
Why We Like It: This particular bourbon spirit lets you enjoy the fragrance of cloves, old leather, and vanilla. You’ll taste the fruit, vanilla, and honey flavors with mild spiciness. It’s satisfying, giving a long and warm finish.
5. Old Charter 8
Average Price: around $22.07
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Alcohol Content: 43% ABV
Why We Like It: We like its complex yet well-balanced aroma, providing rich honey sweetness with dry, peppery notes.
The tingly spice notes on the palate with hints of mellow toffee lead to a very long and satisfying finish.
4. Benchmark Old No. 8 Bourbon
Average Price: around $19.99
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: If you’re starting out with bourbon, we recommend this spirit. This is Buffalo Trace’s basic entry in the bourbon category.
But what we liked particularly in this bourbon is its depth and complexity. Everyone will love its caramel notes with a powerful palate. You can expect calming and smooth finish.
3. Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Average Price: around $34.99
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV
Why We Like It: We like this spirit because of its rich and complex palate. The taste of vanilla, candied fruit, and toffee will surely mesmerize every drinker. The finish stays longer on the palate. Additionally, this is a great bang for the buck.
2. Buffalo Trace White Dog Mash #1
Average Price: around $18.10
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Alcohol Content: 62.5% ABV
Why We Like It: Every bourbon lover likes this spirit’s sweetness and slight burn.
After one sip, this bourbon’s corn flavor [1] will cover your tongue with an oily and vanilla mouthfeel. It’s rich and smooth, with hints of tropical fruit and spice at some point.
1. George T. Stagg
Average Price: around $1149.99
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Alcohol Content: 65.2% ABV
Why We Like It: Definitely one of the favorite spirits of bourbon lovers. This bourbon features dark choco and lush toffee sweetness.
The hints of vanilla, nougat, fudge, and molasses give a more flavorful taste. Also, the underlying taste of dark berries, dates, tobacco, and spearmint round out the palate.
FAQs
Is Buffalo Trace a good bourbon?
Yes. Buffalo Trace is definitely a good and classy bourbon. Also, its distillery, Buffalo Trace Distillery, produces various quality and top-of-the-line spirits. Check out some Buffalo Trace alternatives here.
Why is Buffalo Trace bourbon so popular?
Buffalo Trace Bourbon is popular due to its sweet aroma and palate. The finish provides a perfect mix of spice and oak, ideal for bourbon lovers, especially those new to the spirit’s characteristics. Also, why is Buffalo Trace hard to find?
In Summary
In terms of bourbon, no one would argue that Buffalo Trace is one of the best distilleries with a wide collection of best-in-class spirits. From mash bill #1 to high rye mash bill, Buffalo Trace has lots to offer.
If you’re looking to find the best Buffalo Trace Bourbon that you can add to your liquor shelf, you can check out the bourbons listed above.
Or, you can try them all and share your drinking experience with us.
Reference:
- https://www.salon.com/2022/08/24/when-it-comes-to-making-bourbon-why-is-corn-so-important/
