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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Comparing Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$88 less | ~$75 – $200 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 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
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/9 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof: E.H. Taylor straight from the barrel. Very hot and nutty, with toasted pecan, dark sugar and heavy oak; the proof changes with each batch.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof if you want a hot, nutty, barrel-proof Buffalo Trace bourbon with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof).