E H Taylor Small Batch Bourbon In-Depth Review

Who Was E H Taylor?

Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr was born in Columbia, Kentucky in 1832. EH Taylor, who is actually the grandnephew of President Zachary Taylor, is known as the “Father of the Modern Bourbon Industry”. Taylor is responsible for the mash technique of separating solids from liquids. Taylor was also lobbied for the Bottled-In-Bond act that passed in 1897. Colonel EH Taylor Jr Bourbon is bottled-in-bond. Taylor never actually served in the military and is called Colonel due to being named an honorary Kentucky Colonel.

Over the course of his career Taylor started 7 distilleries but is best known for his time at Old Fire Copper, the predecessor to current day Buffalo Trace Distillery. Taylor purchased a small distillery in 1869, updated it and gave it the name O.F.C. Due to financial issues, Taylor had to relinquish OFC distillery and it was purchased by George T Stagg in 1879.

What Is Bottle-In-Bond Bourbon?

In the late 1800’s the adulteration of bourbon was widespread and bourbon makes and the Federal Government needed to do something to help protect the public and the bourbon. The Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1987 was a guarantee from the government of the bourbons authenticity. Adulterated bourbon was one reason George Garvin Brown of Old Forester decided to place his bourbon in a glass bottle and place his signature on it to help solidify its authenticity.

To be classified as bottled-in-bond, the bourbon must be the product of one distillation season (January – June or July- December) by one distiller/distillery, it must be aged in a federally bonded warehouse, aged at least 4 years, and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV).

Is EH Taylor Bourbon Hard To Find?

EH Taylor’s most common label is the small batch bourbon, but there are many different variations that are more rare. EH Taylor Single Barrel is released a few times a year, but is more rare than the small batch. EH Taylor Barrel Proof is a once per year special release and normally Buffalo Trace will release a special one time offering of a special EH Taylor once per year.

Out of all the EH Taylor releases, E H Taylor Small Batch Bourbon is the easiest to find but that doesn’t mean it is easy to find. Normally this bottle will not sit on shelves at MSRP for more than a few minutes before it is sold out or you need to have some personal connections with the clerk at the shop you are in. EH Taylor Small Batch Bourbon MSRP is around $40, but I haven’t seen it that cheap in 6-7 years. A good price would be up to $70 if you have never had it before but I wouldn’t say it is worth a penny more.

EH Taylor Release In-Depth List

EH Taylor Small Batch In-Depth Review

I poured neat in a glencairn and let set for around 15 minutes. If you would like to support the site and buy a pair on glencairns, follow the hyperlink!

• Distillery: Buffalo Trace
• Age: At least 4 years, non-aged stated
• Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
• Mashbill: Low rye <10% (Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1)
• MSRP: $40.00

Color – Slightly aged copper 

Aroma – A subtle scent of sweet oak is the first note on the nose. This is very subdued with very little complexity. There is a bit of candied corn sweetness with no strong fruit characteristics at all. 

Taste – Like the nose, I get very soft and subtle notes of oak. A touch of vanilla on the front of my palate and some rye spice on the mid and back palate. This drinks a little hotter than I anticipate with a fairly thin viscosity. There is some creamed corn or candied corn sweetness but lacking any fruity notes that I have come to expect from Buffalo Trace bourbons. 

Finish – Fairly quick finish that is again a little more aggressive than I anticipated with a 100 proof pour. 

Rating – 6.2

Thoughts – I like this pour, especially the packaging but the actual bourbon is slightly above average. This pour tastes like a standard bourbon should, a typical oak profile and a little heat. Buffalo Trace bourbons are normally known for having a fruitier profile but I didn’t get much fruit. 
      E H Taylor Small Batch is a cool bottle to take to a party of non-bourbon drinkers because of the packaging and scarcity to impress a crowd. I could take it or leave it neat and would be fine on the rocks or in a cocktail, but this pour doesn’t leave a strong impression. 
      Not even taking into account availability, I actually prefer Eagle Rare 10 Year, Four Roses Single Barrel 100 Proof or Russel’s 10 Year at a similar or cheaper price. All three of these alternatives are aged as long or longer than E H Taylor Small Batch. When you factor in how hard it is to find E H Taylor Small Batch, there are many other bourbons on the shelf with superior flavor. 
      This is a really cool bottle with outstanding packaging, a lot of history and cool talking points. The bourbon doesn’t live up to the hype that surrounds it and is a pass for me unless I find it at MSRP. This would be an awesome gift that would impress and looks cool on any home bar.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists

5 | Good | Good, just fine

6 | Very Good | A cut above

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect