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Old Forester Statesman vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Comparing Old Forester Statesman 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 | Old Forester Statesman | 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 | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 ~$53 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/8 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 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 Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight at a significantly lower price point.
- 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, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel).