Blog Archives

Whisky: Buffalo Trace NAS Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45%
Producer: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Distillery, USA
R260 ≈ £23

Buffalo Trace was first introduced in 1999. It’s produced by hand in small batches by vatting together no more than 45 barrels of 9 year old whiskey.

Nose: Rich and hypnotic. Maple syrup on French toast sprinkled with castor sugar. A lovely depth of sweetness (molasses, icing, mint chocolate, vanilla), oak, and just the gentlest touch of light spice. The syrupy sweetness reminds me of Drambui without the alcohol vapour.

Taste: Cool and calming. Easy on the palette with a rewardingly rich texture. Spice swells but never to the point were it loses its seduction. Fruit notes confidently enter the soirée (or more appropriately the shindig as this is American) while vanilla watches the dancing from the sidelines.

Finish: A wonderfully long finish, coating the mouth in sweet and spicy pleasures. Undeniably lip-licking good.

My Score: 85

I’m strict with my scores, so an 85 seems a bit high, but believe me this is an excellent dram. Superbly put together and rich, yet approachable and easy-to-drink. How it’s priced so low is a wonder I am grateful for! If you don’t like overly sweet though, then chances are you won’t think as highly of this bottle o’ American joy.

Other Scores: JM’09 93.5