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Buffalo Trace vs Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
On paper Buffalo Trace and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$28 – $35 vs. ~$45 – $55) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$19 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/7 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 4 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select 4 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.
- Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select: Barrels pulled from the top of the rickhouse, where the temperature swings are hardest, and it shows as considerably more oak than any standard Jack. A genuinely different proposition from the black label.
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 Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select if you want a distinctly oakier, more concentrated Tennessee whiskey with barrel-to-barrel character.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select).