Benchmark vs Buffalo Trace: Bourbon Comparison

Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 08:18 pm

J Highland

J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.

Discover the differences between Benchmark vs Buffalo Trace in this in-depth comparison and decide which bourbon is better for You!

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 vs Buffalo Trace: Comparison

Benchmark: This bourbon offers a sweet and inviting nose of maple, vanilla, and banana bread, with a palate that’s light on complexity, featuring caramel and cinnamon. Ideal for those seeking a smooth, straightforward bourbon experience, it’s best enjoyed neat.

Buffalo Trace: A balanced bourbon with a nose of caramel and baking spices, leading to a palate rich in caramel, vanilla, and oak. Its smooth texture and complex flavors make it perfect for sipping neat, appealing to those who appreciate depth without overwhelming intensity.

Key Difference: Though crafted at the same distillery and sharing a low-rye mash bill, Benchmark, and Buffalo Trace offer distinct experiences due to aging and proof differences.

The Verdict: “Benchmark and Buffalo Trace each cater to different sipping preferences. Benchmark is your go-to for a light, easy-drinking experience, while Buffalo Trace offers a more complex, flavorful journey for those seeking a rich bourbon experience. Both provide quality and satisfaction in their respective styles.”, mentions whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Benchmark: Sipping Smoothness, But Light on Complexity

Nose: Maple, vanilla, banana bread
Palate: Caramel, cinnamon, oak
Finish: Vanilla, oak spice, caramel
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Add water
Similar to: Evan Williams

Sweet & Inviting: Ah, the aroma! Maple syrup, vanilla, and warm banana bread fill your nose, promising a sweet and comforting sipping experience.

Light Texture: But once you sip, things take a turn. The texture is thin, lacking the body and weight of some bourbons.

Subtle Flavors: Vanilla, caramel, and oak spice peek through, but they’re faint whispers, not bold statements.

Short Finish: The experience doesn’t linger long. The finish quickly fades, leaving behind echoes of those same fleeting flavors.

A Lighter Alternative: Compared to its richer cousin, Buffalo Trace, Benchmark is lighter and easier to drink. It’s aged for only 2 years and bottled at 80 proof, making it less intense.

Easy on the Palate: No harshness here! Benchmark goes down smooth, with minimal warmth. It’s perfect if you prefer a more approachable bourbon.

Good Value: While it lacks complexity, Benchmark punches above its weight in its price range. Many competitors in this category taste rough, but Benchmark offers decent quality for the cost.

Cocktail Caution: Not the best choice for cocktails due to its light profile. But for an easy, smooth sip neat, Benchmark delivers.

Benchmark Trivia: This bourbon, also known as McAfee’s Benchmark Old No. 8, carries the legacy of the McAfee brothers who journeyed to Kentucky, shaping its whiskey history.

In short: Benchmark is a good choice for casual sipping if you prefer a light and smooth bourbon. However, if you seek depth and complexity, other options might be more satisfying.

Learn more: Benchmark Bourbon Website

Buffalo Trace: Balanced Bourbon, Easy Sipping Delight

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: Wild Turkey 101

Aromatic Delights: Buffalo Trace opens with a whisper of sweetness. Imagine caramel and vanilla swirling with a hint of warm baking spice.

Spicy & Oaky: Take a sip, and the spice takes center stage, joined by oaky notes and juicy fruit flavors. The caramel and vanilla peek through, adding delightful complexity.

Smooth as Silk: The texture is a dream – soft, inviting, and free of harsh heat. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to savor.

Lingering Warmth: The finish warms you gently, leaving behind echoes of vanilla and spice. It may not linger forever, but it leaves a refreshingly satisfying memory.

Well-Rounded & Approachable: This isn’t a mind-blowing experience, but it’s a bourbon you can trust. It’s medium-bodied, easy to drink, and packed with fruity and oaky goodness.

Spicy Finish: Be prepared for a medium kick of spice in the finish – it adds character without overpowering the experience.

Uniquely Crafted: Buffalo Trace uses a blend of corn, rye, and malted barley, aged for 8 years in special warehouses for maximum flavor complexity.

Small Batch Magic: Every batch is crafted using only 40 barrels, ensuring consistent quality and a taste you can trust.

In short: Buffalo Trace is a balanced and pleasing bourbon, perfect for sipping neat or exploring in cocktails. It’s not about fireworks, but about consistent quality and effortless enjoyment.

Learn more: Buffalo Trace Website

What do Benchmark and Buffalo Trace have in common?

Both are crafted at the same distillery using the same mash bill.

Indeed, Benchmark and Buffalo Trace share the same mash bill, with a low percentage of rye (around 10%).

Both bourbons are crafted at the esteemed Buffalo Trace Distillery, which is renowned for producing some of the world’s finest bourbons, including Weller, Pappy Van Winkle, and Blanton’s.

In addition to Benchmark and Buffalo Trace, this distillery utilizes the same mash bill to create other bourbons such as Eagle Rare and E.H. Taylor.

Are Benchmark and Buffalo Trace the same bourbon?

There are enough differences to produce contrasting flavors:

Buffalo Trace sets itself apart from Benchmark by being bottled at a higher proof of 90, compared to Benchmark’s 80 proof.

This indicates that Buffalo Trace undergoes less water dilution before being bottled, resulting in a more concentrated and robust flavor profile.

Furthermore, Buffalo Trace benefits from a longer aging process of approximately 6 to 8 years, whereas Benchmark is aged for a shorter period of only 2 years.

This extended aging imparts greater depth and complexity to Buffalo Trace, contributing to its overall character and smoothness.