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Buffalo Trace vs Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year
On paper Buffalo Trace and Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so proof (90 vs. 100) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$9 less | ~$35 – $45 |
| 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.
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/7 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 4 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 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.
- Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year: Seven years, bonded, and priced sensibly — the specification sheet reads like something from twenty years ago. Balanced and oak-leaning without ever getting heavy.
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 Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year if you want a bonded, age-stated Kentucky bourbon that gets the fundamentals right for under forty dollars with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year).