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E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Comparing E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Willett Pot Still Reserve is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$70 – $140 vs. ~$45 – $60).
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +6 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $140 | ~$45 – $60 ~$53 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Willett Pot Still Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/6 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).