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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Buffalo Trace
Comparing Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and Buffalo Trace reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | 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 | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +20 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$28 – $35 ~$31 less |
- 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
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/5 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
heat 7/4 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
- 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 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture 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, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).