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Buffalo Trace vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Comparing Buffalo Trace and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$31 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/8 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 4/7 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).