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Buffalo Trace vs Old Forester Statesman
Buffalo Trace and Old Forester Statesman 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 Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$21 less | ~$50 – $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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
fruit 5/7 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).