Buffalo Trace

[Nightcap]

Hi folks.

Buffalo Trace suddenly appeared on our shelves here in eastern Washington. I picked up a bottle this weekend, having read here that some of you enjoy it. It certainly does have an interesting character.

Maybe when I get a little further down the bottle, and have become more acquainted with it, I'll attempt a review. (Just for fun, and practice.)

I wouldn't have expected something refined from a bottle with a buffalo on the front, but it does its thing quite gracefully indeed.

Opinions?

[Paradox]

You'll be hard pressed to hear people really bad mouth BT here, it is a great bourbon at a nice price. I recently opened a bottle that was purchased from Sams several months back. It is touted there as a Single Barrel Buffalo Trace since they bought jsut one barrel and had it bottled for them. Let me tell you, they picked one superb barrel! It didn't have that 'earthy' bit of flavor I usually associate with BT and it was much smoother than any other bottle of BT I have had to date. Anyone ordering from Sam's in the future, I suggest tossing in a bottle of this single barrel bottling. I hope you like your bottle as much (I am certain you will) and await reading your notes down the road. Don't worry about them being 'non-professional' sounding/looking. The attempt is all we ask for.

[Barrel_Proof]

Thanks for the tip, Mark. I'll be visiting Sam's and Binny's on Sunday. I think Joe C. actually picks the barrels bottled for Binny's, so those are undoubtedly special, too.

[Paradox]

Yeah, after being so pleased with the selection of barrel taht Sma's picked I have been thinking of ordering one from Binny's on a future order. I'm sure Joe picked a winner as well!

[Nightcap]

... I hope you like your bottle as much (I am certain you will) and await reading your notes down the road. Don't worry about them being 'non-professional' sounding/looking. The attempt is all we ask for.

Well, an attempt, I can make.

Buffalo Trace, 90 proof. Why look, I have some right here in this glass. How convenient.

The attractive bottle cost $19.40 in Spokane, WA, (a large portion of which goes to the government.)

Nose: Caramel, almonds. Mint? Anise? Understated; begs exploration.

Entry: Like a ballerina: smooth, graceful. Buttery soft, mild saltiness, and mildly sweet. Up front, it's a tease, and belies its proof, gently imparting warmth, but offering nothing that can be called a "bite". Light, nutty pastry flavor, for an instant...

But then, let it gather a little saliva, and it BLOOMS. This whiskey is all about the finish. Long, malty, savory. The slight saltiness noted in the entry persists into the finsh, with the rest of the dense, spicy ensemble, providing a mild tang. Anise, nutmeg, hint of black pepper, unfolding purposefully. It lingers. Ginger!

The light warmth in the mouth never makes it to the throat at all, with this bourbon. It's smooth, but delivers a payload.

I'm glad it became available in my area, and I thank you guys and gals for turning me onto it.

I love this stuff.

[TNbourbon]

Nice. Great descriptions! I've only had Buffalo Trace a few times myself, but found that it grew on me the more I tried, so will pick up a bottle again next time I have a hole in my lineup. Will compare my impressions with your notes.

[pepcycle]

Salty?

Interesting. I don't think I've ever seen sensed salty in a bourbon. Nice Notes.

[ratcheer]

Well, actually it is not a buffalo on the label, it is an American bison. But, most people call it a buffalo.

Anyway..........

Tim

[LeNell]

Interesting tidbit...do tell us the difference. Inquiring minds want to know.

[ratcheer]

This should explain it better than I ever could:

American Bison

True buffalo are native to Asia and Africa:

Buffalo

Hope this helps.

Tim

[Nightcap]

Salty?

Interesting. I don't think I've ever seen sensed salty in a bourbon. Nice Notes.

Yeah, this is weird to me, too. I don't mean salty like sea-water, I sorta mean a sensation on the tongue that can be compared, I guess, to a very slight "saltiness". In this case, a sort of slippery salty sweet, right before the flavor opens up. I've noticed it in other whiskeys, too; a couple of foreign whiskies come to mind...

There is no salt in bourbon, right? So, how does one account for this? Has anyone ever sensed saltiness in a bourbon, besides me? Maybe it's the way it triggers the salivary glands, or something...

[Paradox]

Did you eat/snack on anything right before/during the drink? Just a thought... I've never tasted 'saltiness' but hell, I guess one could taste just about anything, everyone perceives tastes different; That's why it is so hard for people to outright disagree with another's tasting notes.

[Jono]

A terrific rollicking entry into the descriptive tasting exeperience...I like the use of the ballet metaphor...BT glides over the tongue... like a figure skater to Swan Lake! It remains my favorite pour.