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Buffalo Trace vs Penelope Toasted Series
Buffalo Trace and Penelope Toasted Series sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus a sourced, rye-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$31 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| 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.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 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.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with more proof behind it and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).