More side-by-side fun, and this time I am back comparing bourbons. Today I look at the Buffalo Trace vs Woodford Reserve bourbon whiskey. Comparing Saceraz vs Brown-Forman Corporation bourbon next to each other.
Tag: The Sazerac Company Page 1 of 3
Sazerac Company, Inc is a privately held American alcoholic beverage company. It’s principal office is in Louisville, Kentucky. The Sazerac brands include brands like Pappy Van Winkle, E.H. Taylor, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, WL Weller and Buffalo Trace bourbon.
I have not had a rye whisky to review for such a long time. It is high time for something a bit more spicy and different, so today I look at the Sazerac Straight Rye whiskey. This whiskey is named after the Sazerac coffee house in New Orleans, which is deemed the birthplace of the famous Sazerac cocktail.
This is my last side-by-side comparison for 2021, and today I am looking at a comparison between the Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit bourbon. I have enjoyed doing these comparisons. I learned so much, and it highlighted the variety in taste within the bourbon category.
It showed me how something that is made in essentially the same way could have such different notes by changing the mash bill and the toast level of the casks.
After the available selection of bourbon dropped off during 2017 / 2018 in South Africa, the category has grown these past two years, and the variety available is growing again.
As much as I like a good peaty Islay Scotch or a Speyside sherry bomb, I have a soft spot for the sweeter bourbons. The combination of toasted oak, vanilla and red cherries fits my palate just right. It works well in cocktails and is relatable and accessible to a broad audience.
So for my last comparison this year, I look at the Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit bourbon. Both my bottles are nearly done, which is proof of how often we reach for these bourbons. Both brands have a distinct history of producing their whiskey varieties and the ingredients used in their creation.
Also Read: Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit Bourbon
Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey
A 150-year-old family recipe created by founder Tom Bulleit’s great-great-grandfather Augustus Bulleit inspired the creation of Bulleit Bourbon whiskey. The original recipe was for a rye whiskey made with 2/3 rye and 1/3 corn. It was produced between 1830 and 1860 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Tom always dreamt of recreating his ancestor’s recipe. In 1987, he opened the open Bulleit Distilling Company and created a small batch bourbon bearing the family name.
The mash bill has been adjusted to make sure it is a true bourbon. The mashbill is 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley and it is aged for at least 6 years.
The bottle shape is modelled on old medicine bottles, with raised lettering and a skew label, as it might have looked in the 1860s.
Diageo now owns the Bulleit brand, and it is produced at the Kirin Brewing Company Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. This bourbon is readily available in SA and retails for around R 400. In the USA it retails for around $42.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey
Records show that some form of distilling took place on the site in Frankfort Kentucky in 1775 already. Harrison Blanton constructed the first official distillery in 1812.
It has historically been known by several names, including most notably, the George T. Stagg Distillery. It is currently owned by the Sazerac distilling company.
The distillery introduced the Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey brand in August 1999. The whiskey was named in tribute to the mighty buffalo that carved paths through the wilderness in the trek to the Great Planes and the pioneers’ rugged, independent spirit.
Readily available in SA and retails at around R 330 and $50 in the USA. It is perfect for cocktails and pairs well with chocolate.
Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit Bourbon
| Buffalo Trace | Bulleit Bourbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Bourbon whiskey | Bourbon whiskey |
| Mashbill | Not disclosed | 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley |
| ABV | 45% | 45% |
| Colour | A reddish copper | Light amber |
| Nose | Fruity sweetness, rich and bold. There are hints of candied fruit, caramel, vanilla, brandy pudding and oak. Bits of spice float in the background. | Quite spicy. In the background, there is some sweetness reminiscent of sticky toffee pudding, nutmeg and vanilla. After standing for a while, some caramel comes through. |
| Palate | There are notes of fruit, orange marmalade, white pepper and oak. Bits of cinnamon with toasted oak. Water tones down the spice. | Loads of warming freshly ground spices. It's a rich, chewy mouthful. Toffee caramel and vanilla with a bit of wood and orange. Freshly baked sugar biscuits. With water, this bourbon becomes smoother and a bit sweeter. |
| Finish | Before adding water long and ended in notes of spicy sweetness. After adding water, the finish was quite flat. | Lovely. Very long and lingering. The finish is big and bold and has notes of mild spice and hints of oak. |
| My Rating | Very Good | Excellent |
| Comments | Without water it is bold and delicious. Drink it neat! | Unusual and unique. |
| Price point | $35 | $33 |
Why did I leave such a difficult comparison for last? These two bourbons could not be more different. We spent most of Saturday afternoon savouring a few glasses of these. As usual, we did a blind tasting for our Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit bourbon side by side comparison.
Most of the time, we can accurately guess which bourbon is which, but this time it stumped us. Perhaps it was just a long week, and our taste buds were tired, but we had to try a few times before we could make up our minds.
The Buffalo Trace is fruity with mild spice and a nice drinkable mouthfeel. It has a medium body and lovely toasted oak notes. Just don’t add water. It is perfectly drinkable without water.
The Bulleit is bolder and spicier with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and freshly milled black pepper. Faint hints of orange and vanilla. The toasted oak notes are more subdued, but the Bulleit bourbon is bolder and richer than the Buffalo Trace.
John loved the Bulleit release the most, but after the second glass, I found the spices overwhelming. I preferred the Buffalo Trace and the more traditional bourbon notes for my sweeter palate.
Now both my bottles are finished, and I need to stock up again. Fortunately, that is not a problem as they are both readily available and not too expensive.
I have done a similar comparison between Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve.
Also Read: Jack Daniel’s Rye vs Old No 7 Whiskey
Today I look at a bourbon that is readily available in SA, the Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey. It is also quite affordable, which also helps. Records show that some form of distilling took place on the site in 1775 already.
Today it is known as the Buffalo Trace distillery. The first official distillery was constructed in 1812 by Harrison Blanton.
The Buffalo Trace distillery is in Frankfort, Kentucky. It has historically been known by several names, including most notably, the George T. Stagg Distillery. Its namesake bourbon brand, Buffalo Trace Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, was introduced in August 1999.
Related Article: WL Weller Wheated Bourbon
The whiskey was named in tribute to the mighty buffalo that carved paths through the wilderness in the trek to the Great Planes and the rugged, independent spirit of the pioneers who followed them.
The distillery was fortunate; during Prohibition, the distillery stayed working. They made whiskey for “medicinal purposes”. The Buffalo Trace distillery also produces other spirits such as Sazerac rye whiskey and vodka.
The Buffalo Trace straight bourbon whiskey mash bill is not disclosed. However, based on research, it combines corn, rye and malted barley. The rye ratio is less than 10%. The Buffalo Trace mash bill is apparently similar to the George T Stagg and the Eagle Rare bourbon mash bill.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey Review
COUNTRY: USA
ABV: 45%.
COLOUR: A reddish copper. Quite a dark colour.
NOSE: Sherry sweetness and is rich and complex. There are hints of candied fruit, caramel, vanilla, brandy pudding and oak. Little bits of spice float in the background.
PALATE: Without water, the palate has quite a big mouthful. There are notes of fruit, orange marmalade and oak. Bits of cinnamon with toasted oak floating about. When you add some water, the palate changes, the bourbon becomes almost watery and more fruity.
The sweetness and the spice disappears, and the complexity reduces. I always add a little water, and this was the first whiskey where the water nearly ruined the taste.
FINISH: The finish before adding water was long and ended in notes of spicy sweetness. After adding water to the Buffalo Trace, the finish shortened, and it was quite flat.
RATING: VERY GOOD
The Buffalo Trace is a great straight bourbon, however, drink it neat. When you look at bourbon and cheese pairings, the Buffalo Trace works very well with some aged cheddar. It is perfect for cocktails as a base because it is robust enough. Especially in an Old Fashioned or a Moscow Mule, it works very well.
Another excellent pairing for the Buffalo Trace bourbon whiskey is a snickers bar. Bourbon and this caramel and peanuts covered in milk chocolate bar is a match made in heaven.
I have done a side by side comparison between this bourbon and the Maker’s Mark to see how they compare. For my last side by side comparison in 2021, I put this Buffalo Trace next to the Bulleit bourbon to see which one is better. There is even a side by side comparison between this bourbon and the Woodford Reserve.
Also Read: 1792 Bourbon
Let’s talk about bourbons. I discovered bourbons later on my whiskey journey. One of the first bourbons I tried was the Makers Mark, and this inspired me to explore more from this category. My palate loved the sweeter oak and vanilla notes.
Even though the category is relatively small in South Africa, I have still managed to taste quite a few releases over the years. Today I look at two of the best-known bourbon brands against each other; Maker’s Mark vs Buffalo Trace bourbon whiskey.
Comparing the distinctive red wax seal versus the bourbon that pay tribute to the pioneering spirit and the great herds of buffalo that used to roam the planes. I am always amazed at how whiskey or bourbon taste differs when you try them side by side. And how, within the bourbon category, there can be so many aroma and flavour variations.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey
The Buffalo Trace Distillery is in Frankfort, Kentucky. Harrison Blanton constructed the first official distillery on the side around 1812. Today it is owned by the Sazerac Company who also own Blanton’s and Eagle Rare bourbon.
Buffalo Trace was named in tribute to the mighty buffalo that carved paths through the wilderness in the trek to the Great Planes and the rugged, independent spirit of the pioneers who followed them. It has no age statement.
The Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight bourbon mash bill is not disclosed, however it is speculated that it contains a high corn percentage and less than 10% rye.
Also Read: Jameson vs Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky
Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey
Maker’s Mark is distilled in Loretto, Kentucky by Beam Suntory. Production of Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey started in 1954, after William Samuels, purchased the distillery known as Burks’ Distillery. The whisky was named by Samuels’ wife, Marjorie ” who gave it the name of Maker’s Mark.
She also designed the now-classic label and came up with the red wax dipping top that gives the Makers Mark bottle its distinctive look. Maker’s Mark has no age statement. It is bottled when the maker agree that it is ready, roughly around 6 years.
The Maker’s Mark’s mash bill consists of 70% corn, 16% soft red winter wheat and 14% malted barley.
Buffalo Trace vs Maker’s Mark Bourbon
| Buffalo Trace | Maker's Mark | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Bourbon whiskey | Bourbon whiskey |
| ABV | 45% | 45% |
| Colour | A reddish copper | Light golden copper |
| Nose | Fruity sweetness, rich and bold. There are hints of candied fruit, caramel, vanilla, brandy pudding and oak. Bits of spice float in the background. | Cherries, brandied fruit, toasted wood and vanilla spice. Adding a few drops of water brings out more spice and woody notes. |
| Palate | There are notes of fruit, orange marmalade, white pepper and oak. Bits of cinnamon with toasted oak. Water tones down the spice. | Full of vanilla, followed by sweet cherries and fresh red fruit. Cinnamon and toasted oak. A few drops of water brings butterscotch and warming nutmeg. Delicious and very easy drinking. |
| Finish | Before adding water long and ended in notes of spicy sweetness. After adding water, the finish was quite flat. | Long with hints of sweetness, vanilla and caramel. |
| My Rating | Very Good | Excellent |
| Comments | Without water it is bold and interesting. Drink it neat! | Delicious, A great introduction to bourbon It is smooth and easy drinking. |
| Price point | $33 | $36 |
It is interesting to note that people rated the Buffalo Trace higher on Whizzky compared to the Makers. The Buffalo Trace has a sweet, bold nose with lots of vanilla and fruity sweetness. The Maker’s Mark nose is less pronounced and spicier with distinctive red fruit and oak.
However, when you taste them next to each other, the Buffalo Trace is spicier and less complicated compared to the Maker’s Mark. The Buffalo Trace bring notes of orange marmalade, cinnamon, oak and pepper. The Maker’s Mark bourbon has more cherries and vanilla on the palate. Butterscotch and nutmeg notes adds a delicious edge to the mix. The Maker’s is smooth and easy drinking.
The finish on the Maker’s Mark vs Buffalo Trace is also different. On the Buffalo Trace, the finish is medium length and spicier. The Maker’s Mark finish is warming and long with vanilla sweetness.
The price differential between these two releases are quite small. On Amazon, the Buffalo Trace retails for around £24 and the Makers Mark for around £27. (There are regular specials on Amazon to look out for.)
Yes, I have a favourite; the Maker’s Mark bourbon whiskey. It is what I like in a bourbon. Vanilla, juicy red cherries and toasted oak. It might be a bit more expensive than the Buffalo Trace, but I think it is worth it.
I have done a side by side comparison between the Maker’s 46 and the standard Maker’s Mark and you can see in that blog post which one I prefer. I have also compared the Buffalo Trace to a Bulleit bourbon as well as a Woodford Reserve bourbon to see which one is better.
Also Read: Maker’s Mark vs Woodford Reserve