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E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Put E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel next to Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $140 | ~$45 – $55 ~$55 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel does 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.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 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.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).