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Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +30 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$75 – $200 | ~$16 – $22 ~$119 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/5 heat: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 8/5 oak: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 6/4 nuttiness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).