Compare
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof vs Knob Creek 9 Year
Comparing Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Knob Creek 9 Year 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 | Knob Creek 9 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 | 9 years |
| Proof | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +30 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$75 – $200 | ~$35 – $40 ~$100 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Knob Creek 9 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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 9 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Knob Creek 9 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/5 heat: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 5 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 3 out of 10
nuttiness 6/7 nuttiness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 7 out of 10
oak 8/8 oak: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Knob Creek 9 Year 8 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 9 Year: This classic Jim Beam offering leans heavily into traditional oak, rich caramel, vanilla, and the signature Beam peanut-funk nuttiness. At 100 proof it delivers a bolder, more structural wood-and-spice influence with a touch of citrus zest and mint 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 9 Year if you want a classic peanut-and-oak-forward Kentucky bourbon with an older age statement at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Knob Creek 9 Year).