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Rowan's Creek vs Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Rowan's Creek and Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Rowan's Creek | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$93 less | ~$75 – $200 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Rowan's Creek and Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof do not publish an official mash bill.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
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Flavor Profile
Rowan's Creek Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/8 oak: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
heat 5/9 heat: Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
nuttiness 2/6 nuttiness: Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the finish.
- 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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof if you want a hot, nutty, barrel-proof Buffalo Trace bourbon.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek); neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof).