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Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Comparing Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +24 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$45 – $90 ~$18 less |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- 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
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 9/5 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself without hunting for it.
- 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 lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch).