Region: Kentucky
ABV: 45%
LCBO Price: $39.95 in limited quantities
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, regarded as one of the more reliable and consistently well crafted entry level bourbons on the market, recently became available at the LCBO for a limited time. I was able to obtain a bottle, and have been sampling it over the past week leading up to this review.
The included booklet tells the story of how America's first pioneer's followed the path, or "trace" left by migrating buffalo. The distillery is located on the spot where the migration route crossed the Kentucky river. Bourbon whisky has been crafted at this location for over 200 years.
On the nose there is wood, caramel, subdued char bitterness, smoke, fall leaves, vanilla, birch-bark and a distinctly earthy, soil-like note. The overall profile is autumnal and woodsy.
Without water, the mouthfeel is quite oily and viscous. The taste profile revisits all of the notes found in the nose. Fall leaves, smoke, caramel, earthy tones, with some faint char. At 45%abv. the whisky has quite a bite, though it is not overly unpleasant or abrasive.
Once water is added, the oily nature of the whisky dissipates, and some butternut squash and vegetal notes begin to come through. More so with each drop of water added.
Overall, Buffalo Trace is a very rugged, pleasant bourbon which is not cloyingly sweet or unpleasantly bitter. it is bottled at 45% and it takes water very well. The only downside is the price at the LCBO, which I feel is a bit high considering this bourbon sells for the same price as Jack Daniels Old No.7 in the United States. For that reason, I give it 87/100.
Rating: 87/100
No comments:
Post a Comment