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Buffalo Trace vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Buffalo Trace and E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$28 – $35 vs. ~$45 – $90).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ~$36 less | ~$45 – $90 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Buffalo Trace and E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/7 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 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.
- 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. 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 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. 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, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch).