Benchmark Single Barrel vs Buffalo Trace

Last Updated on: 8th April 2024, 06:31 pm

Explore the distinctions between Benchmark Single Barrel and Buffalo Trace in this detailed comparison to determine which Bourbon suits your preferences best!

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Written by: J Highland

Benchmark Single Barrel vs Buffalo Trace: Comparison

Benchmark Single Barrel: Delivers a good experience, akin to notable bourbons but with its unique taste. It stands out for its enjoyable profile and excellent value, particularly for a single-barrel bourbon, making it a tempting option to repurchase.

Buffalo Trace: A well-balanced, easy-drinking bourbon with a pleasant mix of sweetness and spice. It’s versatile and enjoyable neat, though it may lack the intensity desired for cocktails. Offers a reliable, quality experience at a mid-range price.

Verdict: Both bourbons offer great experiences in their own right. The Benchmark Single Barrel impresses with its value and distinctive taste, making it a worthy choice for bourbon enthusiasts. Buffalo Trace maintains its reputation for quality and balance, suitable for those seeking a consistently good everyday bourbon, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Related: Whiskeys Similar to Buffalo Trace

Benchmark Single Barrel: A Smooth and Robust Bourbon with Hidden Depths

• Nose: Ethanol, tobacco, brown sugar, vanilla, caramel
• Palate: Caramel, crème brûlée, vanilla, oak, orange peel
• Finish: Medium, caramel, baking spice
• Alcohol content: 95 proof (47.5% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Similar to: Benchmark Bonded

Benchmark Single Barrel is a small-batch bourbon known for its smoothness and robust body. Compared to its standard counterpart, it boasts a higher proof (95 vs 80 proof), contributing to a richer flavor profile.

Aromatic Profile:

• Warm: Initial heat gives way to hints of tobacco, brown sugar, vanilla, and caramel.
• Subtle: Orange peel peeks through.

Pleasantly Surprising:

The palate offers a delightful surprise with notes of crème brûlée, caramel, vanilla, and orange peel alongside a light touch of oak. The finish provides a pleasing warmth with lingering caramel and baking spice notes.

Enhanced Complexity:

Adding a touch of water unlocks additional layers of flavor, revealing hints of peanuts, old leather, and baking spice in the finish.

Great Value for Money:

This single barrel expression allows the unique character of each barrel to shine through, offering a complex and satisfying experience at an unbeatable price.

Benchmark Single Barrel: The Facts

• Made with a mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley.
• Aged for at least two years (no official age statement).
• Higher proof than the standard Benchmark bourbon (95 vs 80 proof) for a richer, fuller-bodied taste.

Buffalo Trace: A Balanced and Easygoing Everyday Bourbon

• Nose: Caramel, cinnamon, baking spice, cereal
• Palate: Caramel, vanilla, oak, espresso coffee, chocolate
• Finish: Vanilla, baking spice, oak
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat
• Similar to: Woodford Reserve

Buffalo Trace is a widely recognized Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey known for its smoothness, balance, and approachability. It presents a medium to full body with a soft and chewy mouthfeel, making it a pleasant everyday sipper.

Aromatic Notes:

• Subtle: Caramel, vanilla, baking spice

Flavor Profile:

• Well-balanced: Baking spice takes center stage, complemented by subtle fruity and oaky notes.
• Sweetness: Hints of caramel and vanilla add depth.
• Moderate finish: Rich notes of vanilla and baking spices linger pleasantly.

Enjoyable Neat:

Buffalo Trace is best enjoyed neat without water or ice, allowing its well-balanced flavors to shine through. Its moderate proof and smooth mouthfeel make it easy to drink, even for those new to bourbon.

Limited as a Mixer:

While it offers a pleasant drinking experience neat, Buffalo Trace’s subtler profile may not hold up well in bold cocktails, lacking the robustness needed to stand out against stronger ingredients.

A Reliable Choice:

Despite not being overly complex, Buffalo Trace provides a consistent and enjoyable bourbon experience, making it a solid mid-range choice for everyday sipping.

Buffalo Trace: The Facts

• Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey with no age statement (typically aged 6-8 years).
• Mash bill: Undisclosed, but likely includes corn, rye, and malted barley.
• Known for its smoothness and balance, making it a popular choice for everyday enjoyment.

What do these whiskeys have in common?

• These bourbons are crafted at the same distillery using the same mash bill low in rye that the Eagle Rare, the E.H. Taylor, and Stagg Jr share.

How do Benchmark Single Barrelñ and Buffalo Trace differ?

• The primary distinction between these two bourbons is that Benchmark SB is sourced from a single barrel and bottled at 95 proof, whereas Buffalo Trace is a blend of 40 barrels bottled at 90 proof.
• The second distinction is Benchmark SB, aged around two years, while Buffalo Trace is aged from 6 to 8 years.

Price comparison

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Bourbon	Price
Benchmark Single Barrel	$20
Buffalo Trace	$25