Buffalo Trace Distillery is renowned for its exceptional lineup of bourbons, ranging from widely available expressions to highly allocated treasures. As a consumer, one of the most intriguing questions is whether the more available offerings can hold their ground against the more exclusive bottles. To answer this, we conducted a blind tasting of five Buffalo Trace products: Benchmark Single Barrel, Eagle Rare 10-Year, Blanton’s Single Barrel, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and EH Taylor Small Batch Bottled in Bond. This is the second time this tasting has been done, and remarkably, the results were consistent. Eagle Rare emerged as the undisputed champion both times, with EH Taylor in second place, and Benchmark and Blanton’s switching positions between third and fourth. Buffalo Trace came in last but still held its own in some categories.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the results and tasting notes for each bourbon.
1. Eagle Rare 10-Year
Overall Rank: 1st
Eagle Rare once again proved its dominance with a nose, palate, and finish that wowed across the board. This bourbon balances approachability with depth, delivering a profile that is both complex and inviting.
Nose: The standout feature of Eagle Rare is its nose, which offers a symphony of aromas. Notes of cherry, caramel, toasted oak, and a hint of orange zest rise effortlessly. The complexity is unmatched in this lineup, making it a delight to explore.
Palate: On the palate, Eagle Rare is rich and layered. It opens with sweet vanilla and caramel, transitioning into dried fruit, baking spices, and a touch of leather. The balance between sweetness and spice is exquisite.
Finish: The finish is long, warm, and lingering, with a gentle fade of oak, dark chocolate, and a touch of tobacco. It’s this finish that solidified Eagle Rare’s first-place ranking, as it left a lasting impression well after each sip.
Overall: Eagle Rare offers the superior experience that justifies its reputation. It’s a bourbon that delivers on all fronts: aroma, taste, and finish.
2. EH Taylor Small Batch Bottled in Bond
Overall Rank: 2nd
EH Taylor impressed with its strong showing, securing second place for its well-rounded profile and delightful character. Although it couldn’t quite match the finish of Eagle Rare, it’s a bourbon that demands attention.
Nose: The nose is inviting and complex, with notes of honey, toasted marshmallow, and freshly baked bread. There’s also a hint of citrus and green apple that adds a bright dimension.
Palate: The palate is bold yet balanced, offering a medley of butterscotch, cinnamon, and clove. Midway through, subtle flavors of nuts and toasted oak emerge, giving it an earthy depth.
Finish: The finish is medium-length and smooth, with lingering notes of spice and caramel. While it doesn’t have the length or complexity of Eagle Rare’s finish, it’s still a satisfying conclusion to a fantastic sip.
Overall: EH Taylor stands out as a stellar example of a Bottled in Bond bourbon. It’s robust, flavorful, and offers a sophisticated drinking experience.
3. Benchmark Single Barrel
Overall Rank: Tied for 3rd and 4th (came in 3rd in one tasting and 4th in the other)
Benchmark Single Barrel consistently surprised tasters with its quality, especially given its accessibility and price point. It punched well above its weight class in this lineup.
Nose: Benchmark offers a nose of vanilla, green apple, and light caramel. While not as complex as Eagle Rare or EH Taylor, it’s clean and pleasant.
Palate: The palate is light yet flavorful, with notes of sweet corn, honey, and a touch of cinnamon. There’s a hint of oak, but it’s more subdued compared to the other bourbons.
Finish: The finish is medium in length, with a gentle warmth and flavors of toasted sugar and light spice. It doesn’t linger as much as the others, but it’s enjoyable nonetheless.
Overall: Benchmark Single Barrel is an excellent value bourbon. It may lack the depth of some of the other contenders, but it more than makes up for it with its balance and approachability.
4. Blanton’s Single Barrel
Overall Rank: Tied for 3rd and 4th (came in 3rd in one tasting and 4th in the other)
Blanton’s, a favorite among collectors, showcased its classic single-barrel character but struggled to consistently outperform Benchmark. It’s a great bourbon but didn’t quite live up to its allocated status in this lineup.
Nose: The nose is elegant and refined, with notes of citrus, honey, and light oak. There’s also a floral undertone that adds complexity.
Palate: On the palate, Blanton’s offers a mix of caramel, vanilla, and light spice. It’s smooth and easy-drinking, but it lacks the boldness and depth found in Eagle Rare or EH Taylor.
Finish: The finish is longer than Benchmark’s, with lingering notes of spice, toasted oak, and a hint of vanilla. This helped it edge out Benchmark in one of the blind tastings.
Overall: Blanton’s is undeniably a quality bourbon, but its performance in this blind tasting raises questions about its hype. It’s good, but perhaps not as exceptional as its scarcity might suggest.
5. Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Overall Rank: 5th
Buffalo Trace, the namesake of the distillery, came in last in both tastings but still managed to shine in certain areas. It’s a solid bourbon that delivers consistent quality.
Nose: Surprisingly, Buffalo Trace had the second-best nose in the lineup. Aromas of caramel, toasted nuts, and ripe fruit were prominent, with a hint of spice adding depth.
Palate: The palate is straightforward, with flavors of sweet corn, vanilla, and a touch of oak. It’s lighter than the other bourbons, which may explain its lower ranking.
Finish: The finish is short and subdued, with subtle notes of oak and caramel. It doesn’t leave as lasting an impression as the other bourbons.
Overall: Buffalo Trace is a great everyday bourbon. While it doesn’t reach the heights of its more allocated siblings, it’s an enjoyable pour that’s easy to appreciate.
Final Thoughts
This blind tasting reinforced some key points about Buffalo Trace’s lineup:
- Eagle Rare’s Dominance: The consistency of Eagle Rare’s performance across both tastings underscores its quality. It delivers a premium experience that justifies its growing reputation.
- EH Taylor’s Strength: EH Taylor’s bold and balanced profile makes it a close contender for the top spot. It’s a bourbon that excels in almost every category.
- Benchmark vs. Blanton’s: The close competition between Benchmark and Blanton’s was surprising. Benchmark’s performance is a testament to its value, while Blanton’s showed that hype doesn’t always equate to superiority.
- Buffalo Trace’s Accessibility: While it ranked last, Buffalo Trace’s second-best nose and consistent profile make it a reliable choice for casual sipping.
Conclusion
Blind tastings are a fascinating way to strip away preconceived notions and focus solely on the whiskey in the glass. This exercise highlighted the impressive quality of Buffalo Trace’s offerings, from the everyday accessibility of Benchmark and Buffalo Trace to the refined excellence of Eagle Rare and EH Taylor. Whether you’re hunting for allocated gems or enjoying widely available bottles, Buffalo Trace delivers something for everyone.
