Buffalo Trace is a premium bourbon whiskey produced in Frankfort, Kentucky. It is distilled, aged, and bottled at the historic Buffalo Trace Distillery, which traces its origins back over 200 years. Buffalo Trace takes its name from the ancient buffalo crossing paths that once ran through the distillery grounds. Here is a comprehensive look at this iconic American whiskey.
History of Buffalo Trace
The Buffalo Trace Distillery was originally founded in 1775 and was originally called the Old Fire Copper Distillery. It is one of the oldest continually operating distilleries in the United States. The distillery initially produced other spirits like rye whiskey and even banknotes for a period. Bourbon production began in earnest in the late 1800s under Albert B. Blanton. The Old Fire Copper Distillery was renamed the George T. Stagg Distillery in 1904. Over the years it continued bourbon production under various owners and names, including the Ancient Age Distillery.
In 1992, the distillery was purchased by the Sazerac Company and renamed the Buffalo Trace Distillery, after the wildlife paths that herds of buffalo once traveled near the distillery grounds. Under Sazerac’s ownership, Buffalo Trace invested heavily in restoration and innovation. Antique 19th century buildings were painstakingly restored on the grounds. The brand began producing premium whiskies like Blanton’s, Eagle Rare, and the namesake Buffalo Trace bourbon.
Today the Buffalo Trace Distillery has cemented its reputation as one of the top bourbon producers in the world. It is a National Historic Landmark and offers popular tours daily. Buffalo Trace bourbon continues to be highly regarded for its quality and taste profile.
Type and Style of Bourbon
Buffalo Trace is a straight Kentucky bourbon whiskey. Some key characteristics of the spirit include:
- Made from a mashbill of corn, rye, and malted barley
- Aged for years in new charred oak barrels
- Bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV)
- No age statement
- Produced in Frankfort, Kentucky
As a straight bourbon, Buffalo Trace contains no added flavors or colors. It is aged for several years, but the exact period is not disclosed. This allows the distillery some flexibility in selecting barrels for bottling. Buffalo Trace offers vanilla and oak flavors typical of bourbon, with a moderate level of rye spiciness. It has asmooth, easy to drink profile that makes it quite versatile for sipping or mixing into cocktails.
Ingredients
As with all bourbons, the ingredients in Buffalo Trace are simple, but vital to its flavor and quality:
Grains
The primary grains used are corn, rye, and malted barley. Corn makes up the majority of the mash bill, giving bourbon its sweet flavor. Rye adds spiciness andMalted barley helps convert starches to fermentable sugars. The exact percentages of each grain are proprietary to Buffalo Trace.
Water
Buffalo Trace sources limestone-filtered water from the distillery’s natural spring hollow. This iron-free water allows the whiskey flavors to shine.
Yeast
Yeast converts the sugars to alcohol during the fermentation process. Buffalo Trace likely uses a proprietary yeast strain perfected by their master distillers.
Oak Barrels
New charred American white oak barrels impart vanilla, caramel, and spicy flavors as the bourbon ages. Buffalo Trace ages their barrels in warehousericks typically four to eight stories high.
These essential ingredients combine through fermentation, distillation, and barrel aging to create the final bourbon product.
Production Process
Buffalo Trace bourbon is made using the traditional methods developed in Kentucky over hundreds of years. Here are the key steps:
Milling
The grains are milled and mixed with water to create mash. This exposes the grain starches for conversion to sugar.
Fermentation
The mash is combined with yeast in fermenters and allowed to ferment for several days. This process converts sugars to alcohol.
Distillation
The fermented mash, known as distiller’s beer, is double distilled in copper pot stills. This raises the alcohol to around 125 proof and condenses the flavors.
Barrel Aging
The distilled spirit is filled into new oak barrels, usually charred on the inside, and aged in warehouses. This is where the whiskey interacts with the wood to gain rich color and flavor.
Bottling
After aging for an undisclosed number of years, the bourbon is diluted with water to 90 proof and bottled. Nothing else is added to the bourbon before bottling.
The master distillers carefully oversee the process from grain to bottle to ensure a consistent taste and quality product.
Taste Profile and Flavors
The flavors and tasting notes found in Buffalo Trace bourbon include:
Aroma
Oak, brown sugar, vanilla, caramel, leather, spice
Flavor
Sweet corn, vanilla, oak, dried fruit, toffee, cinnamon, rye spice
Finish
Warm with honeyed oak sweetness and lingering spice
Overall, Buffalo Trace strikes a excellent balance between sweet and spice. It has a rich complexity while remaining very smooth and approachable. The versatility makes it suitable for sipping neat, over ice, or mixing in cocktails.
Cocktails
Buffalo Trace is a bartender favorite and works beautifully in classic whiskey cocktails. Here are some recommended Buffalo Trace bourbon cocktails:
Old Fashioned
The quintessential whiskey cocktail only needs bourbon, bitters, sugar, and orange peel.
Manhattan
Mixed with sweet vermouth and bitters for a strong, sophisticated sipper.
Whiskey Sour
Bourbon with lemon juice, sugar, and optional egg white or cherry garnish.
Mint Julep
Served over shaved ice with muddled mint, sugar syrup, and a splash of water.
Boulevardier
Sub in bourbon for the gin in a Negroni cocktail for added character.
For best results, use quality liquors and ingredients to allow the nuances of Buffalo Trace to shine through.
Food Pairings
Bourbon’s sweet and savory notes pair wonderfully with a variety of foods. Some examples of dishes that complement Buffalo Trace bourbon include:
- Charcuterie and cheese boards
- Smoked or grilled meats like brisket, ribs, or sausage
- Hearty beef stews or pot roasts
- Pulled pork or barbecue dishes
- Seared scallops or shrimp
- Pecan or apple pie for dessert
The caramel and vanilla flavors also pair nicely with fall flavors like butternut squash soup or pumpkin ravioli. Avoid strong, bitter flavors that will overpower the smooth bourbon.
Cocktail Recipe: Boulevardier
The Boulevardier cocktail subs bourbon in for the gin in a classic Negroni. The combination of Buffalo Trace with sweet vermouth and Campari is sophisticated, spirit-forward, and slightly bitter. Try this recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 1⁄2 ounces Buffalo Trace Bourbon
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1 ounce Campari
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a rocks glass with ice
- Pour the bourbon, vermouth, and Campari into a mixing glass with ice
- Stir ingredients for 30 seconds until well-chilled
- Strain into the prepared rocks glass over fresh ice
- Garnish with orange peel
Reasons to Choose Buffalo Trace
Here are some of the main reasons Buffalo Trace bourbon is considered a top-shelf whiskey choice:
- Time-honored Kentucky bourbon heritage dating back over 200 years
- Aged using quality new American oak barrels for richness
- Complex and balanced flavor appealing to bourbon drinkers
- Smooth and approachable at a 90 proof bottling strength
- Works beautifully in cocktails like Manhattans and Old Fashioneds
- Considered a high quality value at its price point
- Produced by one of the most award-winning American distilleries
While not the most elite small batch bourbon, Buffalo Trace offers nuanced flavors indicative of its Kentucky roots. The accessible price makes it a bar staple and everyday drinking bourbon.
Buying Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Buffalo Trace bourbon can be readily found at most major liquor retailers. Here are some tips for buying this popular bourbon:
- Expect to pay $25-35 for a 750ml bottle
- Select the standard Buffalo Trace if searching for a good value
- Check inventory online or call ahead to ensure availability
- Higher end releases like Eagle Rare can be harder to find
- Purchase from a reputable liquor store less prone to markups
- Join distillery release lists if seeking limited editions
Shop around to find the best Buffalo Trace price near you. And consider buying in bulk if you plan to stock it as your house bourbon.
Alternatives to Try
While nothing quite compares to Kentucky’s native spirit, here are some alternative whiskies to consider if Buffalo Trace is not available:
Maker’s Mark
Another wheated bourbon with a smooth, easy drinking profile. Light on spice but big on vanilla.
Four Roses Small Batch
A mellow, fruity everyday bourbon with delicate flavors.
Larceny
The inexpensive wheated bourbon from Heaven Hill offers caramel sweetness.
Old Forester 86 Proof
A high quality mix of sweetness and oak spices make this a bartender favorite.
Old Grand-Dad Bottled in Bond
With a higher rye content, this affordable bourbon brings more spice and bite.
While not identical, these all make quality bourbons for sipping or mixing cocktails. With their distribution and pricing, they can be easier to find than Buffalo Trace at times.
Is Buffalo Trace Gluten Free?
Yes, Buffalo Trace is considered gluten-free. As a distilled spirit, the gluten content from grains like rye and barley gets filtered out during distillation. The bottled bourbon contains no detectable gluten. However, those with a severe gluten intolerance may still wish to exercise caution.
What is Buffalo Trace Mash Bill?
The exact mash bill, or grain recipe, for Buffalo Trace bourbon is proprietary information. However, it is believed to contain around 60-70% corn, 10-20% rye, and 10-15% barley, with corn being the primary grain. This puts Buffalo Trace in the middle ground bourbon mash bill category, with more rye than a wheated bourbon but less than a high rye style.
Where is Buffalo Trace Bourbon Made?
Buffalo Trace is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. All steps of production from distilling to aging to bottling take place on site. The distillery has centuries of bourbon-making history and continues to operate today as one of Kentucky’s most famous.
Is Buffalo Trace Single Barrel?
No, standard Buffalo Trace bourbon is not a single barrel product. It mingles barrels from different parts of the warehouse to create a consistent flavor profile. However, the distillery does produce some premium single barrel editions like Eagle Rare Single Barrel and Buffalo Trace Single Barrel, which are specially selected barrels bottled individually.
How is Buffalo Trace Different From Other Bourbons?
Some ways Buffalo Trace differs from other bourbon brands:
- Historic distillery dating back over 200 years
- Aged an undisclosed number of years, likely 4-8 on average
- No age statement allows blending of barrels
- Higher amount of rye than wheated bourbons
- Mash bill creates a balanced sweet and spicy flavor
- Bottled at 90 proof for smoothness and mixability
- Produced by one of the top American whiskey makers
These factors combine to create an iconic straight bourbon representative of the Kentucky bourbon style.
Does Buffalo Trace Make Pappy Van Winkle?
Yes, the Van Winkle family has a long-standing partnership with Buffalo Trace for distilling and aging their wheated bourbon recipes. This includes the highly coveted Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve bourbons. While made with a different mash bill, wheated Van Winkle bourbons are produced on site at Buffalo Trace and aged in the same warehouses.
Conclusion
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is an excellent quality and value spirit with rich bourbon heritage. The balanced sweet corn and spicy rye flavors pair perfectly in cocktails or neat pours. Sourced from a renowned American distillery in the heart of bourbon country, Buffalo Trace offers smoothness, complexity, and mixability indicative of a world-class Kentucky bourbon. Both bourbon beginners and connoisseurs are sure to enjoy this versatile and tasty whiskey.