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Bulleit Bourbon vs Buffalo Trace
Put Bulleit Bourbon next to Buffalo Trace and you have a blender-built, high-rye bottling set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 | ~$28 – $35 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/5 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere.
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).