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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Put Old Forester 1870 Original Batch next to E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$55 less | ~$70 – $140 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/8 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
- 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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a significantly lower price point and 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 with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel).