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E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch vs Uncle Nearest 1856
Comparing E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and Uncle Nearest 1856 is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$45 – $90 vs. ~$55 – $70).
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch | Uncle Nearest 1856 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $90 | ~$55 – $70 ~$5 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and Uncle Nearest 1856 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Uncle Nearest 1856
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
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 Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856).