Wild Turkey 101 scored 88 in our review to Buffalo Trace's 80, and on November 9, 2026 it cost $17.99 at ReserveBar to Buffalo Trace's $23.86. That's 11 more proof and eight more points for $5.87 less. Buffalo Trace is a good everyday bourbon, but in a lot of stores it sits behind the counter or above its price. These five are worth reaching for instead, and two of them cost about the same or less.
Prices are the lowest in-stock price ReserveBar listed on November 9, 2026, from our daily price check. They change, so check the link before you buy. Scores and tasting notes come from our own reviews, linked under each bottle.
How do the alternatives compare on price and proof?
Two of the five cost about the same as Buffalo Trace or less, and four of the five are bottled stronger. Buffalo Trace is 90 proof with no age statement. Per 1.5 oz pour, about 17 pours to a 750 ml bottle, the spread runs from $1.06 to $2.47.
| Bottle | Our score | Proof | Age statement | ReserveBar, Nov 9, 2026 | Per 1.5 oz pour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Trace | 80 | 90 | None | $23.86 | $1.41 |
| Wild Turkey 101 | 88 | 101 | None | $17.99 | $1.06 |
| Knob Creek 9 Year | 86 | 100 | 9 yr | $23.99 | $1.42 |
| Elijah Craig Small Batch | 84 | 94 | None | $29.99 | $1.77 |
| Eagle Rare 10 Year | 84 | 90 | 10 yr | $35.99 | $2.13 |
| Four Roses Single Barrel (OBSV) | 86 | 100 | None | $41.78 | $2.47 |
What are you replacing in Buffalo Trace?
An easy, sweet, low-rye bourbon. Our review found caramel, vanilla, toffee and brown sugar on the nose, honey and soft fruit on the palate, and a medium finish with a whisper of mint. It's Buffalo Trace's Mash Bill #1, the same low-rye recipe used for Eagle Rare. The review called it the ideal gateway bourbon and an honest daily sipper that won't dazzle experienced palates. That leaves room for bottles that do more for the same money.
The 5 Buffalo Trace alternatives, ranked
1. Wild Turkey 101: more of everything, for less
88 points, 101 proof, $17.99 ($5.87 less than Buffalo Trace), $1.06 a pour. Wild Turkey 101 is the clearest upgrade on this list. Our review found the same caramel, vanilla and brown sugar as Buffalo Trace, then rich toffee, cinnamon, black pepper and leather on the palate and a long, warming finish.
Where it differs: it's spicier and bolder, with what our review calls the classic "Turkey funk." If you drink Buffalo Trace for how gentle it is, start with Elijah Craig instead.
Our full Wild Turkey 101 review · Check the price at ReserveBar
2. Knob Creek 9 Year: an age statement at the same price
86 points, 100 proof, $23.99 ($0.13 more than Buffalo Trace), $1.42 a pour. Knob Creek carries a 9-year age statement at 100 proof, and on November 9 it cost within a few cents of Buffalo Trace. Our review found caramel, vanilla and a distinctive roasted peanut note on the nose, with dried apple, orange peel, clove and dark chocolate on the palate.
Where it differs: the nutty, oaky Beam character. It's drier than Buffalo Trace and less candy-sweet.
Our full Knob Creek 9 Year review · Check the price at ReserveBar
3. Elijah Craig Small Batch: the soft, sweet match
84 points, 94 proof, $29.99 ($6.13 more than Buffalo Trace), $1.77 a pour. If what you like is how smooth Buffalo Trace is, this is the closest in feel. Our review describes it as smooth and velvety: buttery brown sugar, vanilla bean, peaches and apricots on the nose, cinnamon toast and marzipan on the palate, and a moderate-to-long finish with toasted oak and honey.
Where it differs: a little more oak and spice at 94 proof. It's the easiest bottle here to hand to someone who already likes Buffalo Trace.
Our full Elijah Craig Small Batch review · Check the price at ReserveBar
4. Eagle Rare 10 Year: the same mash bill, older
84 points, 90 proof, $35.99 ($12.13 more than Buffalo Trace), $2.13 a pour. Eagle Rare comes from the same distillery and the same Mash Bill #1, with a 10-year age statement. Our review found orange peel, cocoa, nougat and honeycomb on the nose, honey and toasted brown sugar on the palate, and a medium finish with toffee and dry leather.
Where it differs: more age and more oak, at the same 90 proof. It's the bottle to buy if you want Buffalo Trace's house style with more depth. Our Buffalo Trace vs Eagle Rare comparison goes deeper on the two.
Our full Eagle Rare 10 Year review · Check the price at ReserveBar
5. Four Roses Single Barrel: the high-rye step up
86 points, 100 proof, $41.78 ($17.92 more than Buffalo Trace), $2.47 a pour. This is the opposite of Buffalo Trace's low-rye recipe. The OBSV mash bill is 35% rye, and our review found rye spice, leather, cherries and vanilla-coated peaches, with an exceptionally long finish of dark fruit, cinnamon and bittersweet chocolate.
Where it differs: spicier, fruitier and much longer on the finish. It's the most expensive pick here, so buy it to trade up, not to save.
Our full Four Roses Single Barrel (OBSV) review · Check the price at ReserveBar
Which one should you buy?
- You want the most bourbon for the money: Wild Turkey 101.
- You want an age statement at Buffalo Trace's price: Knob Creek 9 Year.
- You want the same soft, sweet feel: Elijah Craig Small Batch.
- You want Buffalo Trace's own style, older: Eagle Rare 10 Year.
- You want to trade up to a spicier, high-rye pour: Four Roses Single Barrel.
If Buffalo Trace is on the shelf at $23.86, it's still a fair buy. For more bottles at this price, see our best bourbon under $30 and best bourbon under $50, and our top 10 bourbons.
Frequently asked questions
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Rob Boirun is the editor of BoozeMakers.com. Scores and tasting notes come from our published reviews of each bottle; prices come from our daily retailer price check.