Compare
Buffalo Trace vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Comparing Buffalo Trace and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$28 – $35 vs. ~$70 – $140).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$74 less | ~$70 – $140 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Buffalo Trace and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel do not publish an official mash bill.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
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/8 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price without hunting for it.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel).