Colonel E.H. Taylor - Small Batch
$45
Colonel E.H. Taylor – Small Batch
Proof: 100
Age: No Age Statement
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Bottled In Bond
Mash: Unknown
Website: Buffalo Trace
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Slightly Astringent. Nothing crazy. Traditional nose with Caramel, Red Fruits, All Spice, & Cinnamon. I also pick up a little saw dust on the nose as well, but it’s not a deal killer.
Taste/Palate: Fruit forward at the start of the palate. Plums & Raisins, followed by Oak and Caramel. There’s also some Vanilla in the palate which is to be expected.
Finish: It takes a bit for the finish to step up. The first time I tried this I waited and thought that was the shortest finish ever. But it just turned out to be a long palate. The delayed finish picked up volume with Spice notes reemerging; Cinnamon and Pepper start us off and then there’s a transition into some bolder notes of Oak and Tobacco.
Verdict: Overall it’s a very solid bourbon. This is every bit worth it’s MSRP. HOWEVER, the EH Taylor hype is worse than the Blanton’s hype right now. It is not worth the inflated secondary price. If you MUST try this it’s best to be had as a pour in a bar. At that point you can determine if it’s worth your hard earned dollars to pay someone 2-4 times what they found it for on the shelf or if you’re lucky enough to grab it yourself at MSRP, but those opportunities are getting much less likely.
MSRP: $40-50. Price Ceiling: $75 (The most I’d pay for this bottle)
The Story: I age myself sometimes with this story. I used to always have a bottle of EH Taylor on hand and gave out pours to everyone who cared for one. They used to sit on the shelves and my hardest decision was if I was going to pay $45 for the small batch or splurge for the Single Barrel at $65. I handed out EH as gifts because I knew it was a solid bourbon and many hadn’t heard of the brand yet. Fast forward about 10 years and that scene has changed entirely.
Another part of the story is why did I wait so long to review EH Taylor if it’s always on my shelf? That answer is pretty simple. If you see it on the store shelf for a decent price you’ll probably grab it. It needs no review and if it did there’s already plenty out there. I’m doing it now because it’s being added to our ever growing list.
The Distillery’s Story: As founding father of the bourbon industry, Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. left an indelible legacy. His dedication to distilling began at the close of the Civil War when he purchased O.F C. Distillery. There, he developed innovative techniques that are still in use today. Made by hand, this Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey has been aged inside century old warehouses constructed by E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrels are evaluated and selected to create a perfect blend of distinctive character that is like no other. This bourbon is a true sipping bourbon that honors the uncompromising legacy of E.H. Taylor, Jr.
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Average. Not bad, but not special.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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