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Willett Pot Still Reserve vs Buffalo Trace
Comparing Willett Pot Still Reserve and Buffalo Trace is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$45 – $60 vs. ~$28 – $35).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Pot Still Reserve | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $60 | ~$28 – $35 ~$21 less |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve and Buffalo Trace do not publish an official mash bill.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
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Pot Still Reserve Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
- 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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside 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 (Willett Pot Still Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).