Finally we come to the last spirit reviewed from Nauticon and while my comrades rated this overall I personally will be going over the finer details of this bourbon. Why? Because the Buffalo and Bourbon go together like – well fuck – buffalos and bourbon I guess.
Yes this time for a special Buffalo review I review Buffalo Trace Bourbon. Now this was something I’d been meaning to try since I heard about a few months back and we felt it was a perfect edition for our panel. Sadly though it was overshadowed by the wonderful Johnnie Walker Gold Label.
Now fans of booze reviews know I’m a bourbon fan – and I’ve recently been on a kick trying new bourbons considering my love Ezra Brooks isn’t available in my area, but with this kind of pricing I’m not expecting this to replace my everyday bourbon. And while [spoiler alert] this whiskey is one of my favorite bourbons on the rocks – when I shell out money for the good stuff – I normally just go for scotch.
It’s odd though because at around this price range (aka not the super cheap, or super expensive) I’d say that this is a clear winner in terms of what you want, but then I remember – there’s Gentlemen Jack, and while I like having a whiskey with my moniker I’m a gentlemen before I’m a buffalo.
What they say: “The ancient paths of countless buffalo led America westward. Legendary explorers, pioneers, and settlers alike followed these trails, known as traces, through rugged wilderness to new lands, new adventures, and new-found freedom.
One such trace called the Kentucky Buffalo Trace, crossed the Kentucky River at a spot just north of the present-day Frankfort. Early pioneers settled here in 1775 and, with plentiful pure limestone water and rich river bottom loam for growing exceptional grains, distillation quickly followed. With and unparalleled reputation for creating outstanding bourbon whiskey, the Buffalo Trace Distiller today stands as one of America’s oldest distilling sites.
The bold heritage of the mighty buffalo and the individuality and pioneering spirit of those early Americans are again found in Buffalo Track Kentucky Straight Bourbon created at the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Traditionally handcrafted, Buffalo Trace has a smooth confident taste that invites discovery with each sip.
Explore Buffalo Trace and taste the spirit of legends.”
Taste: 6.0 – It’s got a good initial flavor it’s toned down less than the aftertaste though, but it flows together really well from the mildness to the smokiness.
Aftertaste: 6.0 – It’s not a smoky scotch, but it does have a good smokiness to it, and with what seems to be a sherry like bitterness as well.
Burn/Smooth: 4.5 – While the taste is nice the burn here packs a subpar whiskey punch.
Aroma: 5.0 – It really just has an average smell the only really strong flavor you get is of alcohol.
Honesty: 8.5 – I want to give it a higher score since I’m the Buffalo and if this drink carries my namesake it should be, but sadly the text on the back gets a bit wanky. Beyond that thought the shape, artwork, and prominence exudes bourbon.
Mixability: 8.0
On the Rocks: 8.5 – That is beautiful – this is where you want the whiskey – just the addition of rocks and the burn goes away the taste shines brighter and even a smoky aftertaste shows up. Honestly there are some whiskies where rocks only make things worse, and some where it opens it up like Christmas Presents.
Whiskey Sour: 7.5 – It’s doesn’t disappear in it giving it a little more to the bite which I like.
Value: 6.0 – Again it’s fairly good around this area for value, but GJ is just a better buy.
Google Shop Average: $25
Website: http://www.buffalotrace.com/
Reviewer Scores:
William Henri Neve the IV: 7.0
Justice: 7.5
BuffaloJern: 7.0
DJ_Lvl: 7.5
King Weeb: FERRIS
Jav: 6.5
Want to compare this spirit against our archives? Visit our statistics page.
Metric Score: 44/70 |+| Metric Average: 6.29 |+| Reviewer Average: 7.33
New to Honest Booze Reviews, or just wondering how we score? See our FAQ/Review Policy.
Final Thoughts:
Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.
Love this whiskey! As you say, great on the rocks. The bargain basement Blanton’s. Eagle Rare is a step up, but a lot more money.