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Wild Turkey Rare Breed vs Buffalo Trace
Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Buffalo Trace sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an uncut, rye-forward heavyweight versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey Rare Breed | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | 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 | 116 proof (58% ABV) +26 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$28 – $35 ~$19 less |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Good flavor.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/4 heat: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
spice 8/5 spice: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Wild Turkey Rare Breed 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Wild Turkey Rare Breed: Barrel-proof Wild Turkey at a price that still looks like a mistake. Everything the 101 does with considerably more force, and one of the most consistently praised bottles in its category.
- 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 Wild Turkey Rare Breed if you want barrel-proof spice and oak with a reputation to match, at half what comparable bottles 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 (Wild Turkey Rare Breed); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).