Compare
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Put E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch next to Old Forester 86 Proof 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 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $90 | ~$20 – $26 ~$45 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 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 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 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
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 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).