Compare
Old Forester Statesman vs Buffalo Trace
Old Forester Statesman and Buffalo Trace sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$28 – $35 ~$21 less |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Buffalo Trace does 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
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight 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, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).