Compare
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Put E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch next to Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $90 | ~$45 – $55 ~$18 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available 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.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/5 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).