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Buffalo Trace vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
On paper Buffalo Trace and Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$28 – $35 vs. ~$55 – $70) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 98.9 proof (49.5% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$31 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Buffalo Trace and Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series do not publish an official mash bill.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 Fusion Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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 Fusion Series: A blend of Bardstown's own young distillate with older sourced Kentucky whiskey, which is exactly what the name describes. Polished and fruit-leaning, and a clear demonstration that the blending is the skill on show.
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 Fusion Series if you want a well-built modern blend that shows what careful blending does rather than what age alone does with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series).