VinePair gives it 91 points; Uproxx ranks it 32nd among the distillery's 42 bourbons, but recommends it as an entry point
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon is the flagship bourbon of the Buffalo Trace distillery, in Kentucky, in the United States. It carries no age statement and is bottled at 45% ABV, made from corn, rye and malted barley, according to Difford's Guide. We gathered what named critics and guides have published about it.
At VinePair, critic Tim McKirdy gave Buffalo Trace 91 points, in a review from May 2020 updated in August 2022. He describes a floral, slightly fruity nose with sweet candy notes, and a rounded palate of dried fruit, baking spices, oak and black pepper. For McKirdy, it is an easygoing bourbon, with character without being aggressive. On the plus side, he cites its sweet, well-rounded profile and its price, US$30 in the United States; on the minus side, a lack of some complexity and the fact that the bottle has become harder to find.
Uproxx was tougher. In June 2024, contributor Frank Dobbins III ranked 42 of the distillery's bourbons, and Buffalo Trace came in 32nd. He points to honeysuckle, caramel corn, young oak and plenty of vanilla on the nose; cherry, corn pudding and clove on the palate; and a finish of oak, caramel and nutmeg. Dobbins considers the whiskey well made, moderately priced and a good entry point for newcomers, but, in his view, more overrated than overlooked.
Difford's Guide, in a January 2015 review, describes a coppery amber color and a nose of vanilla, rye, dried fruit, green apple peel, ripe apricot, butterscotch and cinnamon. On the palate, buttery sweetcorn, vanilla and honey balance the ginger, clove and black pepper of the rye, with hints of chocolate and espresso. The finish brings black pepper, clove and vanilla.
According to Difford's Guide, the name comes from the trails carved by buffalo herds, which pioneers used on their way west. One of them, the Great Buffalo Trace, ran north of the Kentucky River, where the first Buffalo Trace distillery was completed in 1857.
For comparison, the Bebidário catalog includes other bourbons, such as Eagle Rare 10 Year Old, Maker's Mark and Wild Turkey 101.
Sources: VinePair (August 9, 2022), Uproxx (June 27, 2024), Difford's Guide (January 29, 2015).
