Buffalo Trace Distillery, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, is known for its exceptional bourbon whiskies. While they do not publicly disclose the exact recipes of their mash bills, they have two primary mash bills, along with a rye whiskey mash bill and a wheated bourbon mash bill.
Mash bill #1, which is used for several of their bourbon expressions, is believed to have a relatively low rye content, likely around 10% or less. This means that the majority of the grains in this mash bill are corn, which gives the bourbon a sweeter and smoother flavor profile. The lower rye content allows other flavors to come forward, such as caramel, vanilla, and oak. Mash bill #1 is often described as having a rich and mellow character, with a delicate spice.
Mash bill #2, on the other hand, is thought to have a slightly higher rye content, estimated to be between 10% to 12%. This mash bill is used for bourbons like Blanton's and Elmer T. Lee. The increased rye content imparts more spiciness and complexity to the bourbon. It adds notes of pepper, cinnamon, and sometimes even a hint of mint. Mash bill #2 is often praised for its bold and robust flavor profile.
While the specific proportions of corn, rye, and malted barley in these mash bills are not disclosed, they are carefully crafted to create the desired flavor profiles that Buffalo Trace is renowned for. The exact combination of grains, along with the unique aging process, contributes to the distinctive characteristics of each bourbon expression.
It's worth noting that Buffalo Trace also produces a rye whiskey, which has its own mash bill. Again, the exact recipe is not disclosed, but rye whiskey typically has a higher rye content compared to bourbon. Rye whiskies tend to have a spicier and drier flavor profile, with notes of pepper, baking spices, and sometimes even fruity or floral undertones.
Additionally, Buffalo Trace produces a wheated bourbon, known as W.L. Weller. Wheated bourbons, as the name suggests, use wheat as the secondary grain instead of rye. The exact mash bill for W.L. Weller is not disclosed, but it is known for its smoothness and softer, sweeter flavor profile compared to traditional rye-based bourbons.
While we don't have the exact recipes, Buffalo Trace has two primary mash bills, with mash bill #1 likely having a lower rye content of around 10% or less, and mash bill #2 having a slightly higher rye content of around 10% to 12%. These mash bills, along with the rye whiskey and wheated bourbon mash bills, contribute to the diverse range of flavors and profiles found in Buffalo Trace's exceptional whiskies.