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Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Put Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof next to Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% 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 | ~$45 – $55 ~$88 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.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/3 heat: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
nuttiness 6/2 nuttiness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
oak 8/5 oak: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 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.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).