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Yellowstone Select vs Buffalo Trace
On paper Yellowstone Select and Buffalo Trace are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$40 – $50 vs. ~$28 – $35) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Yellowstone Select | 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 | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) +3 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$28 – $35 ~$14 less |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Yellowstone Select and Buffalo Trace do not publish an official mash bill.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
Yellowstone Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Yellowstone Select Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Yellowstone Select 2 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Yellowstone Select 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Yellowstone Select 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Yellowstone Select 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Yellowstone Select 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Yellowstone Select 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Yellowstone Select: A revived historic brand from Limestone Branch. Light and creamy, with toasted oak, vanilla and peach and a short, peppery finish. Part of the proceeds support Yellowstone National Park.
- 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 Yellowstone Select if you want a light, creamy everyday sipper with a historic name 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 rocks, highball, old-fashioned (Yellowstone Select); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).