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E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel vs Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year
Comparing E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel | Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 15 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +7 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $140 ~$1015 less | ~$240 – $2000 |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year 8 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
oak 8/8 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year: Fifteen-year wheated bourbon from the Van Winkle line, made at Buffalo Trace. Rich toffee, leather and dried fruit with the oak well blended in.
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 at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year if you want a famously hard-to-find, rich, 15-year wheater with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel); neat (Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year).