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Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof vs Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +39 proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$75 – $200 | ~$90 – $130 ~$28 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/4 heat: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10
nuttiness 6/4 nuttiness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10
oak 8/8 oak: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 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.
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish: The standard Michter's bourbon given a second toasted barrel, which adds sweetness and wood to an already polished pour. Genuinely good, though the price has drifted well past what the liquid alone justifies.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof if you want a hot, nutty, barrel-proof Buffalo Trace bourbon.
- Go with Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish if you want the smoothest, most polished toasted-barrel pour here and price is not the deciding factor without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof); neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish).