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Buffalo Trace vs Stellum Bourbon
Buffalo Trace and Stellum Bourbon sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Stellum Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +25 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$19 less | ~$45 – $55 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Buffalo Trace and Stellum Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Stellum Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Stellum Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/7 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Stellum Bourbon: Barrell's lower-priced, cask-strength line. It drinks gentler than its proof, with vanilla and caramel on top of cinnamon, clove and a long, spicy 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 Stellum Bourbon if you want a cask-strength, multi-state blend that drinks easier than its proof without hunting for it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, old-fashioned (Stellum Bourbon).