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Ancient Age vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Comparing Ancient Age and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, wheated heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +31 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$66 less | ~$78 – $85 |
- Ancient Age and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength do not publish an official mash bill.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
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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
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Flavor Profile
Ancient Age Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/7 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
oak 3/6 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).