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E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Comparing E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year 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 | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 13 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +24 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $90 ~$183 less | ~$200 – $300 |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/8 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof: Thirteen-year Wild Turkey at full barrel proof, uncut and unfiltered. Cola, molasses and fruit cobbler sit on deep, charred oak, and each release carries its own proof.
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 Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof if you want an old, uncut Wild Turkey with cola, cobbler and serious oak without hunting for it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).