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Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond vs Buffalo Trace
On paper Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and Buffalo Trace are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 90) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$16 – $22 ~$13 less | ~$28 – $35 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and Buffalo Trace do not publish an official mash bill.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
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/6 oak: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
- 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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state 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, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).