Up next for our review is the extremely popular Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Not only is this Bourbon well known, the Buffalo Trace Distillery where it is made is one of the most famous distilleries in the world. Besides their flagship brand, they are also the maker of Blanton’s, Eagle Rare, Sazerac, Weller, several others, and of course the Pappy Van Winkle lines.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon clocks in at 90 proof, sells for around $30 for the 750ml bottle, is fairly easy to find, and comes in a nondescript corked bottle. It is supposedly aged between 6-8 years but there is no age statement on the bottle or on their website so it could contain younger juice as well. Regarding the availability of this Bourbon. There was a time a year or so ago that it was actually pretty hard to find, it seems they have amped up production since then or maybe demand has fallen.
Talking Bourbon usually loves anything that comes out of this distillery including this particular Bourbon, but it has been a while since we drank some or gave it a review, and the two are different. When just sitting back and having a drink, as long as you like it, the point is to relax and enjoy the moment. Reviewing on the other hand is really about concentrating and trying to identify the various aromas and tastes. There are times when we enjoy a certain glass but when reviewed, it didn’t score so well. But enough talk, let’s drink some Bourbon, I mean let’s review some Bourbon.
NOSE
Matt: Nothing really jumps out, just a sweet gentle nose of butterscotch, wood, leather, and a very, very slight hint of banana. Not any different with a little ice.
Todd: I agree with no dominant aroma here, having said that it is still a good nose of almonds, raisins, coffee, corn, grass, and oak. I also agree that ice didn’t have an effect.
TASTE
Matt: Nice and smooth with caramel upfront. Other tastes include vanilla, toffee, and malt. Leans toward the sweeter side. It doesn’t really need ice.
Todd: Nice, subtle tastes of brown sugar, cocoa, vanilla, pralines, and caramel. Also, get a slight taste of the almonds I got on the nose. Good neat, really good with a little ice.
FINISH
Matt: Medium finish that comes across as the whiskey version of swallowing ice cream.
Todd: No ice cream here, just a good medium finish with more sweetness.
OVERALL
Matt: While not overly complex, it is a good everyday Bourbon. Good neat, on ice or as a mixer. Maybe because it is finally warm out, I think this would make a good summer drink.
Todd: I like this stuff. No, not too complex but still a good drink.
Nose 4 out of 5
Taste 7.5 out of 10
Finish 3.5 out of 5
Total score 15 out of 20 Barrels.
Well, another hit from this distillery, and what’s not to like? It has a good price with a good nose and good taste. Yes, we understand that it is not the most complex Bourbon out there, but it just goes down well. It makes a good cocktail and at that price, you won’t feel bad about mixing it.
All and all, as long as we can find it, Talking Bourbon will keep a bottle of Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey on our shelves, and we think you should as well.