Our 17th barrel, released in June 2010, of Buffalo Trace is perhaps the meanest yet. Straight up, the whiskey is firm, brawny and hot, full of classic corn-oak with vanilla confection. But hit it with a generous splash of water—and I should add, it's hard to believe this is just 90 proof; the way it requires water to open up, it drinks like 100+ proof—and a magical dram opens up of pungent, wonderful rye spice against vanilla corn earth. It is a whole 'nother whiskey with water, turning fat and rich, full-bodied and smooth, with an almost idealized balance of corn, oak barrel and rye grain, potent and luscious and quite intense throughout. Long story short: this is one mother of a 90 proof whiskey. The spice comes out hugely on the finish with maximum length and detail. Never has a Buffalo Trace so improved with water. The water carries it from a BT also-ran to a Hall of Famer. Probably it would drink like hell on the rocks.





Distillery: Buffalo Trace


Style: Bourbon


Proof: 90.0°


Age: 8 Years, distilled February 27, 2002, bottled May 2010


Size: 750 ml

Price: $20.99