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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Buffalo Trace
On paper Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Buffalo Trace are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$60 – $80 vs. ~$28 – $35) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$28 – $35 ~$39 less |
- 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
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/6 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
nuttiness 5/4 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
- 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 Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).