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Ancient Age vs Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Ancient Age and Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +50 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$122 less | ~$75 – $200 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Ancient Age and Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Flavor Profile
Ancient Age Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/9 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
oak 3/8 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/6 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof: E.H. Taylor straight from the barrel. Very hot and nutty, with toasted pecan, dark sugar and heavy oak; the proof changes with each batch.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat without hunting for it.
- Go with Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof if you want a hot, nutty, barrel-proof Buffalo Trace bourbon with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof).