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Buffalo Trace vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13
Put Buffalo Trace next to Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 8 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 110.8 proof (55.4% ABV) +21 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$109 less | ~$130 – $150 |
- Buffalo Trace and Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/8 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 8 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 8 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 6 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 7 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13: Bardstown's annual blend of older sourced bourbons. Rich and dessert-like, with creme brulee, toffee and dark fruit over peppery oak.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13 if you want a rich, dessert-like annual blend of older Kentucky bourbons with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat (Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13).