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Four Roses Bourbon vs Buffalo Trace
Put Four Roses Bourbon next to Buffalo Trace and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$7 less | ~$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
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/6 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest without hunting for it.
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).