Compare
Ancient Age vs 1792 Small Batch
Ancient Age and 1792 Small Batch are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (80 vs. 93.7).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | 1792 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 93.7 proof (46.9% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$14 less | ~$26 – $34 |
- Ancient Age and 1792 Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
1792 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ancient Age 1792 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/7 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 7 out of 10
oak 3/6 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
- 1792 Small Batch: Barton's flagship and one of the most under-discussed bottles at its price. A high-rye character with cocoa and orange peel, and considerably more going on than the shelf position suggests.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
- Go with 1792 Small Batch if you want an overlooked, spice-forward Kentucky bourbon that punches above its price with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (1792 Small Batch).