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Buffalo Trace vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Comparing Buffalo Trace and Willett Pot Still Reserve is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$28 – $35 vs. ~$45 – $60).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$21 less | ~$45 – $60 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Buffalo Trace and Willett Pot Still Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).