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Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof vs Elijah Craig Small Batch
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Elijah Craig Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof | Elijah Craig Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | 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 | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +36 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$75 – $200 | ~$28 – $35 ~$106 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof does 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
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Elijah Craig Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/4 heat: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 6/4 nuttiness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: A heavily oak-driven pour for the money, with vanilla bean and brown sugar riding on top of real char and smoke. The extra age shows up as wood depth rather than harshness.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with Elijah Craig Small Batch if you want the best oak-forward value on the shelf, with more wood character than its price suggests.
Best enjoyed neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch).