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Buffalo Trace vs Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Buffalo Trace and Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$28 – $35 vs. ~$40 – $70).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 10 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$24 less | ~$40 – $70 |
- 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.
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/8 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 4 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/5 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel: A ten-year bonded single barrel, which is a specification almost nothing else on the shelf matches. Dry and oak-forward with real age showing, though barrel variation means bottles differ more than most.
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 Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel if you want a bonded, ten-year single barrel with genuine age at a sane price with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, rocks (Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel).