Buffalo Trace (40%)
Buffalo Trace is one of the epitomes of American whiskey culture. The Kentucky distillery bottles many different bourbons and ryes under a variety of brands. The baseline is the Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Bourbon without an age statement is bottled here at a very competitive price. This always leads to discussions about the age of the whiskey that is bottled. It is very popular in the USA and there are notorious shortages.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The nose is very classic Bourbon. Strong caramel, vanilla and oak. Sweet popcorn and brown butter also come to mind. There is also the sometimes unpopular slight solvent note. If you leave the bourbon in the glass a little longer, you will also find more exotic notes of rye spice and a hint of mint.
Palate
The layman would describe the taste as 'smooth'. Some caramel and brown sugar shine through, plus a hint of charred oak. Overall, however, the bourbon is a little thin on the tongue.
Finish
Here it continues as expected. On the finish, the wood, brown sugar, mint and slight rye spice remain.
Thoughts
Marcel 68/100
Buffalo Trace is a bourbon that’s easy to drink and entertains well with its classic profile. Sure, it lacks that certain something, but especially for the price, it delivers a solid bourbon experience – perfect for relaxed evenings or as a mixer. A bit more punch in terms of alcohol strength would be desirable, though.
Sascha 68/100
Buffalo Trace presents itself with a solid, if somewhat thin, body and shows classic bourbon notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak, yet remains limited in complexity. The balance is rock solid, but one misses a more distinctive structure and intensity, especially at just 40% ABV. Interesting for beginners, for connoisseurs more of a reliable everyday whisky.
Value for Money: Good
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88/100Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Buffalo Trace have no age statement on the bottle?
Buffalo Trace is bottled as a no age statement (NAS) bourbon because the distillery blends barrels with different maturation times. This allows them to maintain consistent quality without committing to a specific age.
What explains the slight solvent note on the nose of Buffalo Trace?
The slight solvent note often comes from the combination of younger barrels and the yeast strain used during fermentation. This note is typical for many bourbons in their early stages and usually dissipates after some air contact in the glass.
How does Buffalo Trace differ in taste from other Kentucky Straight Bourbons?
Buffalo Trace shows classic bourbon notes like caramel, vanilla, and oak, complemented by a subtle rye spiciness and hints of mint. Compared to other bourbons, it is lighter and somewhat thin on the palate, making it approachable and less intense.