Compare
Buffalo Trace vs Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey Rare Breed sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an uncut, rye-forward heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Wild Turkey Rare Breed |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| 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) | 116 proof (58% ABV) +26 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$19 less | ~$45 – $55 |
| 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.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Good flavor.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/8 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
spice 5/8 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey Rare Breed 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Wild Turkey Rare Breed: Barrel-proof Wild Turkey at a price that still looks like a mistake. Everything the 101 does with considerably more force, and one of the most consistently praised bottles in its category.
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 Wild Turkey Rare Breed if you want barrel-proof spice and oak with a reputation to match, at half what comparable bottles cost without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, old-fashioned (Wild Turkey Rare Breed).