This is how long Buffalo Trace Bourbon ages

Buffalo Trace is a classic bourbon to grab when stocking up your bar cart, as it’s perfect for drinks like a Manhattan, an Old Fashioned, or a whiskey sour. It has an alcohol content of 90% (45% ABV) and is mid-priced, usually between $25 and $30. In my opinion it is a solid all-round whisky. While the company doesn’t disclose how long the bourbon has been aged, the bottle’s contents are at least four years old (any younger values ​​are required by law and must be stated on the label). Some people estimate the whiskey to be aged between 6 and 8 years, while others estimate 8 to 10 years.

This aging process takes the initial spirit (a tart and relatively mild blend known as White Dog Whiskey) and adds complex flavors while simultaneously removing some of the burn. This gives the whiskey a pleasant and desirable finish. With bourbon, aging often gives the spirit notes of caramel, molasses and tobacco, giving it a distinct personality. This means that each batch may taste slightly different, but that depends entirely on the eye, or in this case, the palate of the beholder.

Buffalo Trace may be known for its namesake bourbon, but the company is a powerhouse in the bourbon industry. That’s because the company owns some pretty well-known brands, such as Eagle Rare, which can be aged between 10 and 20 years (depending on the specific product) and meets the good whiskey standard Benchmark (read: the cheap stuff you get in pubs), along with the uber-legendary Old Rip Van Winkle, whose 23-year-old bottle retails for $449 but immediately sells out thanks to demand from collectors and resellers. For example, I’ve seen bottles of Van Winkle products that easily cost over $2,000.

As you can see, age clearly plays a role when it comes to price, but Buffalo Trace’s availability coupled with its utility arguably makes it a more compelling spirit to consider as a trustworthy alternative. This is in contrast to one of the premium brands that are clearly suitable for special occasions. Although the exact age is not stated on the bottle, Buffalo Trace is a long-time customer favorite for good reason.