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Old Forester 86 Proof vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Put Old Forester 86 Proof next to E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 Proof | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 ~$45 less | ~$45 – $90 |
| Availability | Widely available 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
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Old Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
- 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 Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price 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.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch).