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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs Buffalo Trace
Put Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve next to Buffalo Trace and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 120 proof (60% ABV) +30 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$28 – $35 ~$19 less |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Buffalo Trace do not publish an official mash bill.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
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/4 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
nuttiness 7/4 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
- 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 Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost 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 (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).