Rock Hill Farms Bourbon Review

Named for a stretch of rich farmland along the Kentucky River, Rock Hill Farms is one of Buffalo Trace's most elusive single barrel bourbons. Like Blanton's, Elmer T. Lee, Hancock's Reserve, and Ancient Age, it's built from the distillery's famous Mash Bill #2—a higher rye bourbon recipe that Buffalo Trace has never officially disclosed but has become legendary among bourbon enthusiasts.

For years, Rock Hill Farms quietly lived in the shadow of Blanton's and Elmer T. Lee, yet it developed a reputation all its own. Bottled at 100 proof, it offered one of the bolder expressions of Mash Bill #2 and, thanks to its limited availability, became a bottle many bourbon drinkers would hear about long before they ever saw one on a shelf.

Back in 2015 or 2016, I didn't know any of that. There wasn't much information floating around online, and Buffalo Trace certainly wasn't talking about mash bills. The only thing I really knew was that Blanton's had become the bourbon everyone seemed to recognize, thanks in part to the John Wick movies.

I happened to be in Dallas for work and met up with a buddy to grab a drink. Like we usually did, we asked the bartender if there was anything new worth trying. Without missing a beat, he said, "We just got Rock Hill Farms this week. People have been coming in all week just to get a pour." Judging by the nearly empty bottle sitting behind the bar, he wasn't exaggerating.

Then came the question.

"How much?"

"Fifty bucks."

We both hesitated.

Before either of us could answer, another customer walked in, spotted the bottle, and blurted out, "Oh my God... you have Rock Hill Farms!"

That was all I needed to hear.

I ordered a pour on the spot.

Unfortunately, it was the last one, so my buddy never got the chance to try it.

From that first sip, I was hooked. What I thought would be another memorable pour turned into a nearly decade-long hunt before I finally found a bottle to call my own.

The Bottle

Company: Sazerac Company, Inc.

Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery

Release: Ongoing

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Proof: 100 (50% ABV)

Age: No Age Statement (NAS)

Mash Bill: Undisclosed (Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #2 – believed to be a higher-rye bourbon recipe)

MSRP: $60 (750mL)

First Impression: Honeysuckle leads the way before Cherry Jubilee and fresh mixed berries round out the nose.

On the Palate: Rich dulce de leche coats the tongue as warm cinnamon and seasoned oak slowly build with each sip.

The Last Sip: Mature oak settles in alongside worn leather before fading into sweet golden raisins on the finish.

Final Thoughts

There's not much I can say other than if you find Rock Hill Farms at or near MSRP, it's absolutely worth considering. The only reason I say "consider" is because finding one at retail has become a challenge for most bourbon drinkers.

There's really nothing negative to say about what's in the bottle. If you enjoy higher-rye bourbons, Rock Hill Farms delivers everything you'd expect from Buffalo Trace's Mash Bill #2 with a little more proof and a lot more character. The real hurdle isn't the whiskey—it's the price you'll likely have to pay to experience it.

Whether it's worth chasing on the secondary market is something only you can decide. Everyone has a different line when it comes to paying over MSRP, and Rock Hill Farms sits right in the middle of that conversation.

🟢 Buy