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E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch vs Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Comparing E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 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 | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +16 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $90 ~$283 less | ~$300 – $400 |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 do not publish an official mash bill.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. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/7 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12: A high-end blend of young and older sourced Kentucky bourbons. Leather, smoky oak and caramel, with a peppery, spice-forward palate.
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 significantly lower price point.
- Go with Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with more proof behind it and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch); neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12).