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E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch vs Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Comparing E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 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 15 Year |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 15 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +17 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $90 ~$258 less | ~$250 – $400 |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/9 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 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.
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year: The oldest regular Russell's Reserve, at barrel proof. Fifteen years in Camp Nelson rickhouses push it toward old oak, leather and dried fruit over the usual Turkey spice.
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 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with more proof behind 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 15 Year).