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Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof vs Evan Williams Black Label
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Evan Williams Black Label 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 | Evan Williams Black Label |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +44 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$75 – $200 | ~$14 – $18 ~$122 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.
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Evan Williams Black Label
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/3 heat: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10
oak 8/5 oak: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10
nuttiness 6/4 nuttiness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Evan Williams Black Label 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.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof); cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label).