Compare
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof vs Knob Creek 12 Year
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Knob Creek 12 Year sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof | Knob Creek 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +30 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$75 – $200 | ~$55 – $70 ~$75 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Knob Creek 12 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Knob Creek 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Knob Creek 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/5 heat: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 5 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 6 out of 10
oak 8/9 oak: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 9 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 3 out of 10
nuttiness 6/7 nuttiness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 6 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.
- Knob Creek 12 Year: Three more years in the barrel than the standard Knob Creek, and the wood does all the talking. Deep oak and leather over the familiar Beam peanut note, drying toward genuinely tannic on the finish.
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 Knob Creek 12 Year if you want the Beam house profile pushed as far into oak as it goes while staying balanced at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof); neat, rocks (Knob Creek 12 Year).