Old Forester President's Choice 2026 vs. E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof: A Presidential Bourbon Showdown
Two legendary Kentucky bourbon distilleries. Two highly allocated bourbons. One election where the popular vote might not mean a damn thing.
There are bourbon bottles you buy because you enjoy drinking bourbon. Then there are bottles you buy because you've been hunting them for years, you've finally found one, and you're beginning to question your own financial judgment.
Old Forester President's Choice and Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Barrel Proof fall comfortably into that second category.
Both come from legendary Kentucky bourbon producers. Both command considerable attention among bourbon collectors. Both promise a premium drinking experience.
But what happens when you put these two exceptional whiskeys head-to-head?
That's exactly what B and Heather are doing in this episode of Tortured Bourbon.
Welcome to Casa de Rooster, where political disagreements are inevitable, presidential ambitions are questionable, and the bourbon is considerably better than most campaign promises.
Old Forester President's Choice 2026: Bourbon Fit for a President?
Few American whiskey brands possess the historical credentials of Old Forester.
Founded in 1870 by George Garvin Brown, Old Forester helped establish the modern bourbon industry by selling bourbon in sealed glass bottles, an important innovation in an era when whiskey quality could be inconsistent.
More than 150 years later, Old Forester remains an important name in Kentucky bourbon.
Its lineup includes familiar favorites such as Old Forester 100 Proof, Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky, and Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style.
But Old Forester President's Choice occupies a more exclusive position.
The History Behind President's Choice Bourbon
The story behind Old Forester President's Choice reaches back to 1964.
That year, Brown-Forman president George Garvin Brown II began offering personally selected single barrels of Old Forester bourbon to distinguished customers.
The modern President's Choice release honors that tradition.
Rather than combining numerous barrels to create a consistent flavor profile, Old Forester selects individual barrels demonstrating exceptional characteristics.
According to Old Forester, President's Choice bourbon is generally aged between seven and nine years, with barrel-specific bottling proofs traditionally ranging from approximately 110 to 125 proof.
The company's official descriptions emphasize that the characteristics of each barrel determine its individual flavor profile. Old Forester
That distinction matters.
When you purchase Old Forester President's Choice, you're buying an individual barrel's interpretation of the Old Forester flavor profile.
One barrel might emphasize caramel, dark chocolate, and vanilla. Another could display prominent fruit, oak, or baking spices.
For bourbon enthusiasts, that individuality makes single barrel whiskey especially interesting.
It also raises an important question:
Does the additional exclusivity deliver a substantially better bourbon than Old Forester's more accessible expressions?
That's one of the questions we're exploring in our 2026 President's Choice bourbon review.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Barrel Proof: A Buffalo Trace Heavyweight
If Old Forester represents one of Kentucky bourbon's oldest continuously marketed brands, Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. represents another essential chapter in American whiskey history.
Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr. was a prominent Kentucky distiller, businessman, and influential advocate for whiskey production standards.
His contributions helped shape the bourbon industry during the nineteenth century.
Among his most significant achievements was supporting the movement that resulted in the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, legislation designed to establish meaningful standards for American whiskey.
Today, his name appears on one of Buffalo Trace Distillery's most recognizable bourbon collections.
The E.H. Taylor lineup includes Small Batch, Single Barrel, and Barrel Proof expressions, along with other limited releases.
But for enthusiasts who appreciate whiskey bottled at full strength, E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Bourbon is particularly compelling.
What Makes E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Special?
Unlike E.H. Taylor Small Batch, which is bottled at 100 proof, E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof is released without dilution to a standardized bottling strength.
Buffalo Trace describes this bourbon as uncut and unfiltered, selected from barrels aged in historic warehouses associated with Colonel Taylor.
The distillery's published tasting notes emphasize cooked berries, caramel, floral aromas, toasted vanilla, dried oak, pepper, and a lingering fruit character. Buffalo Trace Distillery
Those descriptions suggest a whiskey with considerable richness and intensity.
However, a bourbon's proof tells only part of its story.
High alcohol content can contribute to exceptional flavor concentration, but it doesn't automatically guarantee a balanced or enjoyable whiskey.
A great barrel proof bourbon should deliver intensity without allowing alcohol heat to overwhelm its other flavors.
And that's where the comparison with Old Forester President's Choice gets interesting.
Old Forester vs. Buffalo Trace: Two Different Approaches to Premium Bourbon
Although these bourbons share Kentucky roots and premium reputations, their production and selection philosophies differ.
CharacteristicOld Forester President's ChoiceE.H. Taylor Barrel ProofDistilleryOld Forester / Brown-FormanBuffalo TraceLocationLouisville, KentuckyFrankfort, KentuckyClassificationKentucky Straight BourbonKentucky Straight BourbonSelectionIndividual single barrelsSelected barrels bottled at barrel proofProofVaries by barrelVaries by releaseFiltrationDepends on expression specificationsUnfilteredAvailabilityLimitedAllocated / limitedHistorical inspirationGeorge Garvin Brown IIColonel E.H. Taylor Jr.
Both bourbons occupy premium positions within their respective distillery portfolios.
Yet they approach the bourbon enthusiast from somewhat different directions.
Old Forester President's Choice emphasizes the individuality of an exceptional single barrel.
E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof emphasizes full-strength bourbon and the historic production traditions associated with its namesake.
Neither approach automatically produces a superior whiskey.
Ultimately, the glass gets the deciding vote.
The Tortured Bourbon Tasting: What Actually Matters?
For our Old Forester President's Choice vs. E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof episode, we're interested in more than collecting bottles with impressive names.
We're interested in drinking them.
That means evaluating several important characteristics.
Aroma: Which Bourbon Makes the Better First Impression?
The nose offers the first opportunity to understand a bourbon's character.
Does Old Forester President's Choice deliver the rich caramel and dark fruit notes often associated with mature Kentucky bourbon?
Does E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof reveal the toasted vanilla, berries, and oak described by Buffalo Trace?
More importantly, which bourbon offers greater complexity?
Palate: Flavor Versus Firepower
High-proof whiskey can deliver extraordinary flavors.
It can also deliver the sensation that somebody has poured a small house fire down your throat.
The difference is balance.
We're looking for sweetness, oak, baking spices, fruit, and other flavors that develop as the whiskey moves across the palate.
A bourbon shouldn't win simply because it's stronger.
Otherwise, we could skip the tasting and start comparing bottles of grain alcohol.
Heather would probably object.
B might ask whether it qualifies as a single barrel.
Mouthfeel: Does Texture Matter?
Absolutely.
Great bourbon isn't defined by flavor alone.
Texture contributes to the overall drinking experience.
Some bourbons deliver a rich, oily mouthfeel that coats the palate. Others are comparatively light or dry.
We want to know which of these premium Kentucky bourbons provides the most satisfying combination of texture and flavor.
Finish: What Happens After the Swallow?
The finish can elevate a good bourbon into something memorable.
Does the flavor disappear almost immediately?
Does the oak become overly bitter?
Or does the whiskey continue revealing caramel, spice, fruit, and other characteristics?
For expensive allocated bourbon, we expect a finish worth remembering.
Value: Is the Bourbon Worth the Money?
And here we arrive at the uncomfortable question.
Is either bourbon actually worth what enthusiasts are willing to pay?
That's a different question from determining which whiskey tastes better.
A bourbon might be excellent and still represent questionable value.
At Tortured Bourbon, we're interested in both.
Because a prestigious label might impress your friends, but it won't reimburse your credit card.
Is Allocated Bourbon Really Better?
Few topics generate more discussion among whiskey enthusiasts than allocated bourbon.
Limited availability, collector demand, and secondary-market prices have transformed some Kentucky bourbons into status symbols.
E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof has developed a particularly enthusiastic following among Buffalo Trace collectors.
Old Forester President's Choice attracts drinkers interested in premium single barrel selections from one of America's most established whiskey producers.
But scarcity and quality aren't interchangeable.
Some readily available bourbons deliver outstanding drinking experiences without requiring extensive hunting or substantial expense.
That's why we approach bottles like these with curiosity rather than automatic admiration.
The whiskey deserves an opportunity to prove itself.
But it doesn't deserve preferential treatment simply because the bottle was difficult to obtain.
Which Bourbon Wins: President's Choice or E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof?
That's the question we're answering in our latest episode.
B and Heather sit down with these two prestigious Kentucky bourbons to explore their aromas, flavor profiles, finishes, and overall drinking experiences.
Does Old Forester President's Choice demonstrate why the distillery reserves certain barrels for its most exclusive selections?
Can Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof justify its formidable reputation among Buffalo Trace enthusiasts?
And will B and Heather reach the same conclusion?
Considering our history, that last possibility probably deserves its own betting market.
Rather than spoil the results here, we'll let you watch the tasting and decide whether you agree with our verdict.
Watch: Old Forester President's Choice 2026 vs. E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Join B and Heather for our complete bourbon review, tasting comparison, and final rankings.
Then tell us which bottle gets your vote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Old Forester President's Choice a single barrel bourbon?
Yes. Old Forester President's Choice features individually selected barrels chosen for their distinctive characteristics. Flavor profiles and bottling proofs can vary between selections.
What proof is E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof?
E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof is released at varying proofs rather than a fixed bottling strength. The exact proof depends on the specific release.
Is E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof bottled in bond?
Although other E.H. Taylor expressions are bottled in bond, E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof is an uncut, unfiltered expression bottled above the standard 100-proof bottled-in-bond strength. It should not be confused with E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bottled-in-Bond.
Is Old Forester President's Choice worth buying?
That depends on your preferences, the particular single barrel, and the price. President's Choice offers a premium single barrel experience, but the most important consideration is whether its flavor profile appeals to you.
Which distillery makes E.H. Taylor Bourbon?
Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Bourbon is produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Is Old Forester owned by Buffalo Trace?
No. Old Forester is a Brown-Forman brand, while E.H. Taylor is produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery, which is owned by Sazerac.
