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Buffalo Trace vs Four Roses Bourbon
Put Buffalo Trace next to Four Roses Bourbon and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Four Roses Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 | ~$22 – $28 ~$7 less |
| 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.
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Four Roses Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/3 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
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 with more proof behind it.
- Go with Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon).