

It’s referred to as the “low rye” mash bill, reportedly featuring less than 10% rye overall. Bourbon Mash Bill #1: Pretty much universally referred to by drinkers as “Mash Bill #1,” this is the most common overall Buffalo Trace mash bill. At the end of the day, though, the most important distinction here is that BT features two main “classic bourbon” mash bills, along with a “wheated bourbon” mash bill and a “rye whiskey” mash bill. Things are complicated a bit by the fact that the exact percentages of any of the Buffalo Trace mash bills are not publicly available, as they are for many of the other classic Kentucky distilleries.

Therefore, we present the following detailed buying guide to every single Buffalo Trace whiskey brand, divided up in what we believe is the most logical way: By mash bill.Īlmost all of Buffalo Trace’s various whiskeys, across numerous brands, fall into one of four specific mash bills, although five technically do exist. Even brands intended to offer a great value and rock-bottom prices have an unfortunate tendency to get swept up into the hype machine if they hail from Buffalo Trace, placing unfair expectations on bourbons that were never intended for much more than mixing with Coke.Īt the same time, the average drinker-the rank and file whiskey fan who doesn’t wait in line outside of liquor stores on the day when the truck arrives, hoping for a bottle of Blanton’s-may still not be aware of just how many brands Buffalo Trace actually produces, not all of which are clearly labeled as Buffalo Trace products. The fervor for Buffalo Trace products has thus proven to be something of a double-edged sword for the industry.Īnd that’s a shame, because the inevitable (and necessary) discussion about the availability and pricing of Buffalo Trace products all too often obscures the ability of bourbon drinkers to objectively discuss and rate the whiskey in any given bottle. The popularity of its products in the last decade has played a major role in bringing countless new drinkers to whiskey as a passion or a hobby, but it’s simultaneously become the central object of interest in a whiskey industry that is now plagued by hype and rampant price gouging, often from retailers in addition to the lawlessness of the secondary market. It’s safe to say that within the world of American whiskey, for better or worse, no other distillery even approaches the mystique with which Buffalo Trace is viewed by the bourbon community in particular.
