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E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $140 | ~$55 – $70 ~$43 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/8 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
oak 8/8 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).