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Buffalo Trace vs Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon
Buffalo Trace and Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +21 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$24 less | ~$40 – $70 |
- Buffalo Trace and Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/8 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 8 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 3 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 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.
- Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon: Kentucky bourbon finished in the Louisville brandy maker's apple brandy barrels. The finish reads like caramel apple pie: baked apple and cinnamon over a sturdy oak base.
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 Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon if you want an apple-brandy-finished bourbon that tastes like caramel apple pie with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, old-fashioned (Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon).