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Stellum Bourbon vs Buffalo Trace
Stellum Bourbon and Buffalo Trace sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stellum Bourbon | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +25 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$28 – $35 ~$19 less |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Stellum Bourbon and Buffalo Trace do not publish an official mash bill.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
Stellum Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Stellum Bourbon Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/4 heat: Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Stellum Bourbon 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Stellum Bourbon 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Stellum Bourbon: Barrell's lower-priced, cask-strength line. It drinks gentler than its proof, with vanilla and caramel on top of cinnamon, clove and a long, spicy finish.
- 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 Stellum Bourbon if you want a cask-strength, multi-state blend that drinks easier than its proof without hunting for it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- 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 (Stellum Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).