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Four Roses Small Batch Select vs Buffalo Trace
Put Four Roses Small Batch Select next to Buffalo Trace and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch Select | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +14 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$28 – $35 ~$29 less |
| 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 Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Select Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/5 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
heat 6/4 heat: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Four Roses Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
- 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 Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle with more proof behind it.
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).