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E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel vs Knob Creek 12 Year
Comparing E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Knob Creek 12 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel | Knob Creek 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $140 | ~$55 – $70 ~$43 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Knob Creek 12 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Knob Creek 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Knob Creek 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 4/7 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 3 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 6 out of 10
oak 8/9 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Knob Creek 12 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- 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.
- Knob Creek 12 Year: Three more years in the barrel than the standard Knob Creek, and the wood does all the talking. Deep oak and leather over the familiar Beam peanut note, drying toward genuinely tannic on the finish.
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.
- Go with Knob Creek 12 Year if you want the Beam house profile pushed as far into oak as it goes while staying balanced at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel); neat, rocks (Knob Creek 12 Year).