Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywin... vs Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Is Premium Worth the Price? arrives with the quiet confidence of a spirit that knows its own worth.
Is the premium price tag really worth it? We compare Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywin... ($25.00) against Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey ($70.00) to find out whether spending more actually means drinking better.
This is a matchup every whiskey enthusiast faces at the store shelf. We'll break down nose, palate, finish, and value so you can make an informed choice.
Specifications at a Glance
| Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywin... | Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Bourbon | Bourbon |
| Age | N/A | N/A |
| ABV | 30 proof | 100 proof |
| Price | $25.00 | $70.00 |
| Rating | N/A/10 | 6/10 |
Nose
Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywin...: Pungent is the word that comes to mind. This is not like most beers youve had before, which is clear from the first pour. Seven years in wood comes through strongly, and I smell leather, coffee, and charred oak.
Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Bananas. Like a lot of bananas. That’s not bad: I mean, think of all the banana desserts that exist and entice, right? Bananas drizzled with alcohol and set on fire, bananas sliced lengthwise as a boat for ice cream, bananas processed into homemade protein bars on Instagram (which seem to be coming up a lot on my feed ever since I wrote this review). But this smells more of, like, countertop bananas. Other than banana, I get new-mown grass, and baked apples (I know, more fruit.) And hay. There is something very autumnal about the nose of this whiskey. And although spring is my favorite season, I ain’t mad. If you get past the banana, this smells like fall in a Glencairn.
Both whiskeys present distinct aromatic profiles. The differences on the nose already hint at the divergent tasting experiences to come.
Palate
Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywin...: Theres a coffee-like quality in the mouth, too. But thats not all. Candy sweetness comes through and lingers, as well. A friend trying it with me thought it brought fruitcake to mind not the fruitcake we joke about, but good, lush fruitcake. I cant say I disagree. There are certainly elements of walnuts and pecans, dates, and candied cherries in this barleywine. Final Thoughts: This is a serious beer, full of big flavors that whiskey drinkers are likely to enjoy. I certainly did. I immediately decided to search out more barleywines to see if they hold up to this one because I would happily bring this out to drink with friends on pretty much any occasion.
Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: This is 100 proof. It wants to tell you! It’s shouting! There’s a slight prickle and burn at the start and finish, respectively. I want more depth of flavor, but this comes across as one-note. Some whiskeys taste more expensive than they are. This isn’t one of them. I understand the care involved in crafting a whiskey, but I wanted more and don’t find the value to be there. It’s a middle of the road whiskey.
On the palate, the character of each whiskey really comes to life. This is where personal preference plays the biggest role.
Finish
Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywin...: Comments: Sierra Nevada barleywine aged six years before finishing for a seventh in E.H
Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Banana lingers with a prickle and burn on the finish.
The finish can make or break a whiskey. A long, satisfying finish keeps you coming back for another sip.
Value for Money
Pricing varies by market, so check your local retailer for current rates on both bottles.
The significant price gap between these two makes value an especially important factor in this comparison.
The Verdict
This is a genuinely close call. Both Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbon Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywin... and Yellowstone Family Recipe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey have their strengths, and picking a clear winner depends entirely on what you value most in a whiskey.
We'd recommend trying both if you can. Each has qualities that make it worth a pour.
