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Buffalo Trace vs Maker's Mark
Put Buffalo Trace next to Maker's Mark and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Maker's Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 | ~$25 – $32 |
| 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.
Maker's Mark
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Maker's Mark
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/2 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Maker's Mark 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Maker's Mark 8 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line 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.
- Maker's Mark: The bottle that made wheated bourbon mainstream. Soft, sweet, and deliberately low on spice and oak, with baked bread and honey doing most of the work. Consistency is its real feature.
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 Maker's Mark if you want a reliably sweet, low-spice wheater that is easy to find and easy to drink.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, rocks, cocktails, highball (Maker's Mark).