Buffalo Trace vs Old Forester:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Buffalo Trace had more branded searches than Old Forester among bourbon brands worldwide. Buffalo Trace had about 165,000 branded searches, while Old Forester had 27,100. Buffalo Trace made up 12.2% of all bourbon brand searches we track, and Old Forester accounted for 2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about bourbon brands, Buffalo Trace appeared in four of the five answers and Old Forester in two. Buffalo Trace was mentioned before Old Forester in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Buffalo Trace, about 6 searches for every 1 for Old Forester
Who does AI mention more?
Buffalo Trace, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Old Forester in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Buffalo Trace, named ahead of Old Forester in 4 of 4 answers
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Top bourbon brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Buffalo Trace was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Old Forester was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Buffalo Trace was listed before Old Forester in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Wild Turkey1st
Four Roses2nd- Buffalo Trace3rd
Maker's Mark4th
Woodford Reserve5th
Elijah Craig6th
Jim Beam7th
Evan Williams8th
Old Forester9th
Knob Creek10th- +5 more
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Four Roses5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Buffalo Trace4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Maker's Mark4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Woodford Reserve4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Elijah Craig4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Wild Turkey4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Blanton's2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Knob Creek2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Old Forester2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Jim Beam1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about bourbon brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which bourbon should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best bourbon brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's a good bourbon for a beginner?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bourbon brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bourbon whiskey”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 25, 2026.
Is Buffalo Trace or Old Forester more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Buffalo Trace and Old Forester by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 15 bourbon brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Buffalo Trace, Old Forester. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Jim Beam | Buffalo Trace | Maker's Mark | Woodford Reserve | Blanton's | Bulleit | Eagle Rare | Elijah Craig | Wild Turkey | Evan Williams | Basil Hayden | Four Roses | Knob Creek | Old Forester | Angel's Envy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 20.5% | 11.2% | 13.7% | 11.2% | 7.5% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 4.1% | 4.6% | 4.1% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 0.37% |
| Nov 2025 | 18.8% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 10.3% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 5.1% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 0.34% |
| Dec 2025 | 26.7% | 9.8% | 12% | 9.8% | 6.6% | 6.6% | 8% | 3.6% | 4% | 2.9% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 2% | 1.3% | 0.32% |
| Jan 2026 | 20.5% | 11.2% | 13.7% | 11.2% | 7.5% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 4.1% | 4.6% | 4.1% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 0.37% |
| Feb 2026 | 28% | 10.3% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 3.8% | 4.2% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.33% |
| Mar 2026 | 19.6% | 10.7% | 13.1% | 10.7% | 8.8% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 4.8% | 5% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.8% | 0.35% |
| Apr 2026 | 20.1% | 11% | 13.5% | 11% | 7.4% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 5.1% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 0.36% |
| May 2026 | 17.7% | 9.7% | 11.9% | 11.9% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 11.9% | 4.9% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 0.32% |
| Jun 2026 | 19.5% | 10.7% | 13.1% | 10.7% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 1.8% | 0.35% |
| Jul 2026 | 20.5% | 11.2% | 13.7% | 11.2% | 7.5% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 4.1% | 4.6% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 4.1% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 0.37% |
| Aug 2026 | 22.9% | 10.3% | 15.3% | 10.3% | 6.9% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 4.8% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.92% |
| Sep 2026 | 22.3% | 12.2% | 12.2% | 10% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 4.7% | 3.7% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 1.6% |
How has the Buffalo Trace and Old Forester comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Buffalo Trace was ahead of Old Forester in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Buffalo Trace’s share of searches among bourbon brands worldwide moved from 11.2% to 12.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 165K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Old Forester’s share of searches among bourbon brands worldwide moved from 1.8% to 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 27.1K.
How did search popularity change for bourbon brands worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Buffalo Trace overtook Maker's Mark to rank 2nd among bourbon brands worldwide, with 12.2% of the searches.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Buffalo Trace’s and Old Forester’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Buffalo Trace
1 branded search term
- buffalo trace
Old Forester
1 branded search term
- old forester
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