Compare
Willett Pot Still Reserve vs Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Comparing Willett Pot Still Reserve and Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof reveals a matchup between a modern, even-keeled craft expression and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Pot Still Reserve | 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 | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +36 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $60 ~$85 less | ~$75 – $200 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve and Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof do not publish an official mash bill.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
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Flavor Profile
Willett Pot Still Reserve Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/9 heat: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/6 nuttiness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
- 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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside 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, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve); neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof).