The Manhattan Project: Bulleit vs Buffalo

Speaking of bourbon, I'm currently engaged in a project to create The Goodist Manhattan, which means finding the right booze for the job, a burden I bear for you my dear readers. Since this is a mixed drink I'm aiming for mid-priced bourbon (~$25), so let me introduce our first two challengers:

Buffalo Trace: not something you'll likely see at your local booze hole, but an underground favorite for it's value and a long heritage in the heart of bourbon country.

Bulleit: available at most bars in town and a few years back it gained a following for it's ability to kick the living **** out of Maker's at two thirds the price (that was fun while it lasted but it's now they cost about the same).

Testing Method: about 1.5oz mellowed with an ice cube for 2min.

Buffalo Trace:

This had a light smokey clove aroma up front and then a long sticky-sweet caramel flavor that coated every damn inch of my mouth and wouldn't let go. The burn was more in the nose than the throat and not offensive. Damn great bourbon on it's own.

Bulleit:

Starts clean and fruity before assaulting the pallate with chocolate cherry and vanilla bean. Serious ripe red fruit involved here that immediately reminded me of a well made Manhatten. Lingering heat was smooth and certainly warming.

Verdict:

Buffalo trace is great on the rocks with it's superior mouthfeel and complexity, but Bulleit seems absolutely made for Manhattans - it's almost creepy how it tastes like one all on it's own - the vermouth and cherry should do nothing but build on it's foundation.

Bulleit advances to the next round and the Manhattan Project begins! Any recommendations on other bourbons in the ~$25 range to try?