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Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof vs Four Roses Small Batch
Comparing Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Four Roses Small Batch reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof | Four Roses Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +40 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$75 – $200 | ~$32 – $38 ~$103 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.
Four Roses Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Four Roses Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/4 heat: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 8/5 oak: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 4/7 fruit: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
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 Four Roses Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof); neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch).