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Buffalo Trace vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
On paper Buffalo Trace and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so proof (90 vs. 100) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 | ~$16 – $22 ~$13 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Buffalo Trace and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/5 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).