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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Comparing Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 120 proof (60% ABV) +20 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$55 less | ~$70 – $140 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel do not publish an official mash bill.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
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/5 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 7/4 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10
oak 8/8 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost without hunting for it.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel).