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Buffalo Trace vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Buffalo Trace and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$19 less | ~$45 – $55 |
| 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.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- 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.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).