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Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit Bourbon
Put Buffalo Trace next to Bulleit Bourbon and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a sourced, high-rye blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Bulleit Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 | ~$25 – $32 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Buffalo Trace does 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.
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Bulleit Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/7 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
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 Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon).