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Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Comparing Barrell Foundation Bourbon and E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch reveals a matchup between a blender-built, spice-driven bottling and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 ~$13 less | ~$45 – $90 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon and E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/5 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Barrell Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending at a lower price point.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch).