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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Buffalo Trace
Comparing Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Buffalo Trace reveals a matchup between an uncut, wheated heavyweight and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +21 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 | ~$28 – $35 ~$50 less |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Buffalo Trace do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
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Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/4 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
- 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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth without hunting for it.
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).