Bulleit and Buffalo Trace are both widely available Kentucky bourbons, and the useful difference between them is in the mash bill. Bulleit is a high-rye bourbon; Buffalo Trace is corn-forward. This guide covers what that means and how each is built.
Bulleit vs. Buffalo Trace
Bulleit Bourbon:
- History and Production: Bulleit has a history dating back to the 19th century. The modern Bulleit brand, known for its high-rye content, was revived by Tom Bulleit in 1987. It features a mash bill of 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley.
- Mash bill: High rye, at 28%. Rye is the grain that contributes pepper and spice, so a high-rye bourbon behaves differently in a cocktail than a corn-forward one.
- Strength: 45% ABV, so a 1.5 oz pour is about 1.1 standard drinks.
- In an Old Fashioned: The rye content is why high-rye bourbons hold their own against the sugar and bitters rather than disappearing into them.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon:
- History and Production: Buffalo Trace, one of America’s oldest distilleries, has a legacy closely intertwined with American bourbon history. The distillery has been operating for over two centuries. Their bourbon is known for its high corn content in the mash bill, although the exact proportions are not publicly disclosed.
- Mash bill: Corn-forward, with the exact proportions undisclosed. Lower rye than Bulleit, which is the whole basis of the comparison.
- Strength: 45% ABV, matching Bulleit, so the two are identical on a standard-drink basis.
- In an Old Fashioned: Works the same role as any bourbon in the drink; the lower rye means less of the peppery edge Bulleit brings. See the Old Fashioned method.
Comparison and Conclusion
Here’s how the two bourbon options compare:
- Mash bill: Bulleit is high-rye (28%); Buffalo Trace is corn-forward with an undisclosed recipe. That grain difference is the one real variable between them.
- Strength: Both 45% ABV, so identical on a standard-drink basis.
- In cocktails: Both work in an Old Fashioned; the higher rye in Bulleit carries more pepper against the sugar and bitters.
Each bourbon brings its unique characteristics to the table. Whether you prefer the spicier notes of Bulleit or the sweeter tones of Buffalo Trace, both are solid choices for bourbon lovers and mixologists alike​.
Pick by the mash bill: rye-forward Bulleit for more spice, corn-forward Buffalo Trace for less. Same strength, same tier, so the cheapest way to decide is to try both in a drink you already make.
The fine print
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