Colonel Taylor Barrel Proof Batches Ranked From Best To Worst: Powerful Whiskey, Powerfully Ranked

American bourbon has broken through obstacles and reached many milestones to get where it is today. Throughout its history, many individuals have played their part in its success. One of those individuals was Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr. 

Born in Columbus, Kentucky in 1832, E.H Taylor has deemed a “Colonel” despite a lack of military service. Much like the brand ambassador of your favorite fried chicken shack, Taylor was the “Colonel” of bourbon. 

He was involved with the predecessor of Buffalo Trace (OFC and Carlisle distilleries). Equally as important, he was a key figure in getting the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 passed. Whiskey enthusiasts are still thanking him today every time they enjoy an unadulterated, uncut bottle of bourbon. 

Taylor Barrel Proof Bourbon

In 2009, Buffalo Trace took over the Old Taylor Bourbon brand. It was only fitting that soon after, they crafted a premium product fit for a Colonel.

In 2011, the first batch of E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Bourbon was released to critical acclaim. The undiluted whiskey was such a hit that public hype demanded it to be re-released annually. Since then, whisky enthusiasts celebrate each year’s iteration of Taylor Barrel Proof. 

While each batch has unique construction and character, every release promises a wild ride of oak, baking spices, and big alcohol heat. Each Barrel Proof bourbon is built on a low-rye mash of 10% (the same as Buffalo Trace Bourbon, George T. Stagg, and Stagg Jr). 

Every whisky is crafted from hand-selected oak barrels containing spirits aged between 8-10 years.

E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Batches- The Power Rankings

Any time you can snap up a bottle of Taylor Barrel Proof Bourbon, you get to indulge in a premium top-shelf brand. However, as with most limited releases, not all batches are created equally. 

We’ve cross-examined every Taylor Proof Barrel Proof batch since 2011 and ranked them on a combination of taste, rarity, and value. Here are the batches that made the shortlist.

Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 1

Okay, we did it. Needle, meet haystack. As you might have expected, the first-ever batch of Taylor Barrel Proof sits at the top of the power rankings. Why is that? All things considered, the rarity of Batch 1 is unlike any other batch. And as Frootbat’ers, sometimes that’s enough to put a bottle over the top. 

But don’t kid yourself. E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 1 is a killer that will slay you with rich oak and vanilla notes. As the dram opens up, burnt caramel and dark fruit weigh heavily on your palate. The finish is a stiff reminder that this first-generation bourbon is 134.5 proof. 

Deciding when to open such an endangered species is almost as tough as it is to find it out in the wild. No one outside a few people knows exactly how many bottles of Batch 1 were released in 2011. Buffalo Trace has refused to disclose this number to the public.

It will cost exponentially more than others on this list but will set you up for a completionist life achievement.

Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 5

While Buffalo Trace continued to smash out an elite barrel-proof bourbon year after year, it was in 2015 when the brand hit its stride. In the dark corners of whiskey reviews and enthusiast forums, this batch has shifted into the folklore of E.H. Taylor Bourbon.

Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 5 is highly sought-after due to its robust complexity that contrasts with its stupidly-smooth drinkability. Thanks to this perfect gustatory marriage, finding a bottle yourself will prove difficult and costly. 

However, it’s time and money well spent. Your amber and liquid reward is an uncut 131.3-proof bourbon that screams out of the class for you to drink it. On the nose, oak, and leather draw you to the caramel and spice. It fakes you out like it’s rye but then a mild sweetness washes over your palate begging you to have more. 

Look out for Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 5 with your favorite online whiskey merchants and auctioneers.

Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 2

Released in 2013, E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 2 boasts the highest ethanol content so far. It is bottled at a nose hair singeing 67.75% ABV (135.4 proof)! While not as symbolic or elusive as Batch 1, finding the second barrel-proof release is no small feat.

This small-batch bourbon maintains the bold flavors of its predecessor but peaks with spiciness. Another departure from Batch 1 is a honey-like sweetness both on the nose and the palate. Either neat, with ice, or a spot of water, Batch 2 more than convinces as a premium dram. 

Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 2 is almost as smooth as Batch 1. The good thing is it will be easier to attain. It will also cause less guilt as you finish off the bottle and have to start looking for another one!

Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 9

The year 2020 is notable for important and tragic reasons. Real-world problems may have overshadowed a slew of limited whiskey releases but we kept our eye on the ball. Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 9 captured and has since held our attention as a high-value bourbon. It’s a small-batch trophy worthy of any collection. 

Bottled at 130.3 proof, this whisky pours a light amber color. After letting it breathe, dark cherries, caramel, and toasted pecans rise out of the glass. Digging further unearths vanilla, musty leather, and tobacco. 

As soon as you take a sip, you’re reminded of the “Barrel Proof” phrase on the packaging. It is big and bold as ever but this one drinks a bit heavier. Dark fruits, more leather, and tobacco all add up to a round, subdued sweetness. 

Once the heat dissipates, you feel refreshed and ready to take another sip. The best thing about this superb-drinking E.H. Taylor Bourbon is that it shouldn’t be hard to find, yet.

Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 11

Last year, E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 11 was unleashed upon the world. Staying consistent, this release is built on the steady low-rye mash bill from Buffalo Trace. The bottle maintains the same classic packaging and tube. 

As always, it is No Age Statement (NAS) whiskey. This far down the line from Batch 1, information about the whiskey’s age has become clear as mud. It is safe to assume that the more current iterations of Taylor Barrel Proof contain whiskey aged from 6-10 years. However, Batch 11, like most of its predecessors, tastes much older. 

The 2022 version of Taylor Barrel Proof Bourbon is as rich and decadent as ever. Big baking spices like oak, clove, and anise leap from a well-breathed glass—we still aren’t confident this isn’t a high-rye whiskey!

The palate is full of dark cacao, more anise, vanilla, dark fruit, and citrus. A floral, honey sweetness guides you back to earth as the 129-proof reality sets in. It’s balanced, but in a way that echoes a manhattan.

Grab a few bottles of Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 11 while the getting is easy and thank us later!

Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 12

E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 12 isn’t quite here yet but we are sure it’s going to be a winner. Remember, Kobe Bryant won the MVP during his twelfth season (although he lost in the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics). 

Keep your eyes peeled for the release of Batch 12 sometime in July. You may even be able to snag a preorder!