BOTM Dec09: Buffalo Trace

[camduncan]

This months BOTM is in honour of Buffalo Trace finally making it into the Aussie Market (it's been a long road). It's been a BOTM before, and is well worth doing again, so here's what Jeff said about this great value bourbon to start the BOTM back in March 2005: "Second to none in quality and value. Buffalo Trace, both as a brand and a distillery, embodies all of the tradition of the past, and the best of the modern art of bourbon making. Join me in raising a glass in honor of December's BOTM: Buffalo Trace"

Now what say you?

:893drillsergeant-thSound Off:893drillsergeant-th

[OscarV]

To grassy for me, never cared for it.

But glad to hear you guys Down Under are getting something new.

[Stones]

Can't wait to try it! :toast:

[fishnbowljoe]

I think I posted this about another bourbon before, but my analogy pertains to BT too. You all know Goldilocks and the three bears, right? Well, "This bourbon is too sweet. :kiss: This bourbon is too spicy. :crazy: This bourbon is just right. :bigeyes: Mmmmmm." To me, BT is kinda just right. A little spicyness, + a little sweetness = a flavor that is very well balanced. I can taste a little leather and tobacco, which is the spicy part. Plus there's an underlying sweetness I can't quite put my finger on. Caramel or candy corn perhaps? The price is usually pretty decent, which makes this bourbon a pretty good value too. All in all a very nice bourbon. I'll always have one or two in my cabinet. Joe

PS. The combination of leather and tobacco might be the grassy flavor that Oscar alluded to.

[ebo]

I think I posted this about another bourbon before, but my analogy pertains to BT too. You all know Goldilocks and the three bears, right? Well, "This bourbon is too sweet. :kiss: This bourbon is too spicy. :crazy: This bourbon is just right. :bigeyes: Mmmmmm." To me, BT is kinda just right. A little spicyness, + a little sweetness = a flavor that is very well balanced. I can taste a little leather and tobacco, which is the spicy part. Plus there's an underlying sweetness I can't quite put my finger on. Caramel or candy corn perhaps? The price is usually pretty decent, which makes this bourbon a pretty good value too. All in all a very nice bourbon. I'll always have one or two in my cabinet. Joe

PS. The combination of leather and tobacco might be the grassy flavor that Oscar alluded to.

I agree. BT to me is like Highland Park 12 Scotch... a great all arounder.

[funknik]

To me, BT is kinda just right. A little spicyness, + a little sweetness = a flavor that is very well balanced. I can taste a little leather and tobacco, which is the spicy part. Plus there's an underlying sweetness I can't quite put my finger on. Caramel or candy corn perhaps?

I'll absolutely second Joe's comments here -- I've been enjoying a newly opened bottle for a few days now. I describe the underlying sweetness as "toasted marshmallow" and I really think that this is the best deal out there for $20. I will add that I think BT is a really good first drink of the night but may suffer after some bolder pours. This has the leather & tobacco hints that I love in a good bourbon without the bitter rye notes that seem to overwhelm the offerings from the second BT mashbill.

[George]

I'm torn on BT. I bought a couple bottles a while back at about $22 each. I thought the juice was pretty good at that price. It's now up in the $27-30 range around here, and I'm not sure I'd pay that much for it.

[Josh]

I didn't care for BT when I first tried it, but I had a private sb version of it last year and quite enjoyed it.

The marshmallow is definately there, but on my bottle I picked up a lot of spice as well, cassia , nutmeg and a lot of allspice. Good stuff, I think! Maybe now that BT has seen MI right with some more BTAC, I'll pick up a bottle.

[ratcheer]

They have started stocking BT at Alabama ABC, but they are charging a fortune for it, around $35. I would like to scrape up the funds to try a bottle, though. We'll see.

Tim

[SMOWK]

I've bought a few bottles from my local LCB. They hand select barrels from Buffalo Trace and sell them exclusively. I'll also add that they are the only store within 30+ miles that carries BT. This may be why I haven't liked any of the stuff I've tried, it's all the same batch.

Due to the BOTM rating, I shall grab another and post comments. If I don't like it, I've got a father who just loves hand me downs.

[Sin]

I'm torn on BT. I bought a couple bottles a while back at about $22 each. I thought the juice was pretty good at that price. It's now up in the $27-30 range around here, and I'm not sure I'd pay that much for it.

They have started stocking BT at Alabama ABC, but they are charging a fortune for it, around $35. I would like to scrape up the funds to try a bottle, though. We'll see.

Tim

How's $19.99?

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1031933

It's on sale, $5 off. Not sure what the shipping is, but it's probably pricey since you're so far away. I checked, and they'll ship to AL, but you have to call for a shipping price.

I live in state, and here's my shipping costs. $10 a bottle, $15 for six bottles and up to $22 for a 12 bottle case.

[jburlowski]

I think I posted this about another bourbon before, but my analogy pertains to BT too. You all know Goldilocks and the three bears, right? Well, "This bourbon is too sweet. :kiss: This bourbon is too spicy. :crazy: This bourbon is just right. :bigeyes: Mmmmmm." To me, BT is kinda just right. A little spicyness, + a little sweetness = a flavor that is very well balanced. I can taste a little leather and tobacco, which is the spicy part. Plus there's an underlying sweetness I can't quite put my finger on. Caramel or candy corn perhaps? The price is usually pretty decent, which makes this bourbon a pretty good value too. All in all a very nice bourbon. I'll always have one or two in my cabinet. Joe

PS. The combination of leather and tobacco might be the grassy flavor that Oscar alluded to.

[DeanSheen]

Last weekend I bought a bottle of this since I had not had any for awhile. It disappeared quite quickly. I do get the grass sensation but it doesn't bother me and reminds me of wheat grass shots.

It's def. a favorite of mine and I prefer it over anything else we have in Ohio around the $20 price point.

[dean_martin]

They have started stocking BT at Alabama ABC, but they are charging a fortune for it, around $35. I would like to scrape up the funds to try a bottle, though. We'll see.

Tim

I live on the Ala/Fla line. I do most of my shopping in Pensacola, FL. If you're down this way sometime, give me a heads-up and we might be able to put something together. Thinking out loud: I might could make a bourbon run ahead of time and meet you at our town's I-65 exit. This goes for any of you North Alabama bourbon hounds.

[ratcheer]

I live on the Ala/Fla line. I do most of my shopping in Pensacola, FL. If you're down this way sometime, give me a heads-up and we might be able to put something together. Thinking out loud: I might could make a bourbon run ahead of time and meet you at our town's I-65 exit. This goes for any of you North Alabama bourbon hounds.

That is very nice - Thanks!

Tim

[Hondo]

I'm a BT fan, matter of fact just yesterday I stopped by the BT gift shop just to look around.

However I don't seem to have any on the shelf right now, I'll correct that very soon!

[Stu]

I agree - a good everyday pour. I personally prefer the hand selected barrels I get from Roof Brothers, but The run of the mill BT is still a great value IMO.

[callmeox]

If I was keeping track, BT is easily the bourbon that I have consumed the most of over the last year. Since I talked my local bowling alley into stocking it behind the bar, I've been able to enjoy a pour or two after my Monday and Thursday bowling nights for some time. The fact that they have it mis-priced in the computer (4.25 or so for a double) makes it that much more enjoyable.

Although I love it straight or on the rocks, I have the barkeep toss in a couple of cherries which really brings out the barrel flavors (vanilla/caramel).

Two thumbs up from me for BT!

[hectic1]

I'm fresh out of BT right now...I had two bottles in the bunker but they disappeared rather quickly. I've had the Binny's BT and I can say that it is definitely in my top 5 of under $25 bottlings...a fantastic pour IMO!

[ILLfarmboy]

I'll absolutely second Joe's comments here -- I've been enjoying a newly opened bottle for a few days now. I describe the underlying sweetness as "toasted marshmallow" and I really think that this is the best deal out there for $20. I will add that I think BT is a really good first drink of the night but may suffer after some bolder pours. This has the leather & tobacco hints that I love in a good bourbon without the bitter rye notes that seem to overwhelm the offerings from the second BT mashbill.

I intend on opening a bottle of BT later tonight. For now, Ive been eating grapefruit and I have found that to interfere with properly tasting bourbons, or any alcohol for that matter, don't know why, its just one of those things.

The "toasted marshmallow" is right on, I mean you nailed it.....

Sometimes after a couple glasses it can be a little too sweet, a little too much "marshmallow" and not enough "toasted" but nonetheless I love this bourbon. It sadens me that it gets a bad rap in some quarters from being "musty", something that I've never picked up on.

Perhaps I'll post some fresh impressions later......

[camduncan]

It cost me AU $90, but I was determined to have a bottle of BT to try on the weekend.... I cracked it with my Dad on Saturday afternoon, and it was to say the least, sublime :grin: A smooth, sweet tasting bourbon with a light fruity finish. It seems like a great example of this bottling to me :cool:

[HoosierBoozer]

The first bottle of BT I had was a disappointment. It had a definite musty smell that made it almost undrinkable. I have noticed this with several other BT offerings including Van Winkle and Weller. I assumed it was cork taint but the Weller had a screw cap so I'm not sure what to think now. However, my second bottle of BT was excellent. Great balance of sweetness, spice and wood. Great neat but cheap enough to mix if you're in the mood.

[callmeox]

Search the forums for the "BT Funk" and you will see others with the same occasional complaint. Perhaps some folks are more sensitive to it than others or those who have not experienced it have been lucky to have not gotten a funky bottle.

IIRC, bottles that have been sent back have received a clean bill of health from BT, but it isn't clear how much they test the returned bottles (they certainly don't drink from them for obvious reasons).

The first bottle of BT I had was a disappointment. It had a definite musty smell that made it almost undrinkable. I have noticed this with several other BT offerings including Van Winkle and Weller. I assumed it was cork taint but the Weller had a screw cap so I'm not sure what to think now. However, my second bottle of BT was excellent. Great balance of sweetness, spice and wood. Great neat but cheap enough to mix if you're in the mood.

[Josh]

The first bottle of BT I had was a disappointment. It had a definite musty smell that made it almost undrinkable. I have noticed this with several other BT offerings including Van Winkle and Weller. I assumed it was cork taint but the Weller had a screw cap so I'm not sure what to think now. However, my second bottle of BT was excellent. Great balance of sweetness, spice and wood. Great neat but cheap enough to mix if you're in the mood.

Search the forums for the "BT Funk" and you will see others with the same occasional complaint. Perhaps some folks are more sensitive to it than others or those who have not experienced it have been lucky to have not gotten a funky bottle.

IIRC, bottles that have been sent back have received a clean bill of health from BT, but it isn't clear how much they test the returned bottles (they certainly don't drink from them for obvious reasons).

It's also worth noting that "cork taint" doesn't always come from cork. At least in wine (and I don't see why this would be true for spirits too) taint can come from similar compounds in barrels. It comes from a chemical known as 2,4,6-Trichloroanisole (C7H5Cl3O). The Wikipedia article on this topic is pretty good: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cork_taint

[whskylvr]

Another issue with "Cork Taint" is using chlorine as a cleaning agent around the product. Wineries used to use this and when BV had there big issue a few years ago they found out it had to do with the use of chlorine when they were cleaning around the barrels.