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E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Comparing E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 9 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $90 | ~$45 – $55 ~$18 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/8 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/7 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 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.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
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.
- Go with Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).