Compare
Buffalo Trace vs Rowan's Creek
Buffalo Trace and Rowan's Creek are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is proof (90 vs. 100.1).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Rowan's Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$14 less | ~$40 – $50 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Buffalo Trace and Rowan's Creek do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Rowan's Creek
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/7 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 6 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.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the finish.
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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling with more proof behind it and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek).