When it comes to American whiskey, there are three major types: those made from rye, from wheat and the ones that use corn, called bourbons. In fact they all use a mixture of grains, but they have to contain at least 51% of the main ingredient.
Buffalo Trace is bourbon from the distillery with the same name, based in Kentucky . It was the first brand to release ‘single barrel’ bourbon and ever since, they are trying hard to be seen as a progressive, ‘connoiseurs’ distillery of high quality.
Apart from the flagship ‘Buffalo Trace’ they have a couple of other products with different names: Elmer T. Lee, George T. Stagg, Blanton’s, Eagle Rare, Sazerac…
Buffalo Trace (45%, OB)
Nose: both grains and sweet corn can be clearly distinguished. Some caramel and pine wood as well. With a drop of water, citrus fruit is coming out. Taste: very spicy, with notes of sweet honey and brown sugar. Mint and vanilla too. Hints of leather. Finish with sweet vanilla and dry oak notes, nicely balanced.
A quality bourbon with an unbelievably low price (€ 25). I’d rather get this bottle as a gift than any Scottish supermarket malt or blend of the same price. Don’t expect huge single malt complexity, but still a very interesting range of flavours.
84/100.