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E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch vs Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Comparing E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 124 proof (62% ABV) +24 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $90 ~$18 less | ~$70 – $100 |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 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. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/9 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone at a lower price point.
- Go with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch); neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof).