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E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel vs Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$70 – $140 vs. ~$55 – $65).
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $140 | ~$55 – $65 ~$45 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Jefferson's Reserve Very Old do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/7 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Jefferson's Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel); neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old).