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Eagle Rare 12 Year vs Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Eagle Rare 12 Year and Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Eagle Rare 12 Year | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +35 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $80 ~$73 less | ~$75 – $200 |
- Eagle Rare 12 Year and Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof do not publish an official mash bill.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
Eagle Rare 12 Year
Top 3, behind George T. Stagg and Jack Daniel's 14.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Flavor Profile
Eagle Rare 12 Year Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/9 heat: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Eagle Rare 12 Year 6 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/6 nuttiness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 4 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Eagle Rare 12 Year: Two more years and five more proof points than Eagle Rare 10. Brown sugar and toffee lead, with a drier, more astringent oak finish.
- 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 Eagle Rare 12 Year if you want an older, richer step up from Eagle Rare 10 with more brown sugar and oak at a significantly lower price point.
- 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 neat, rocks (Eagle Rare 12 Year); neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof).