E.H. Taylor Small Batch

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon is an exquisite tribute to one of the founding fathers of the modern bourbon industry. Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. was an ardent visionary who fought tirelessly in the late nineteenth century to protect consumers against adulterated and counterfeit whiskey, culminating in the historic passage of the landmark Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. Packaged in a vintage-style bottle and presented in an iconic cylindrical canister reminiscent of Taylor's original nineteenth-century packaging, this expression represents the pinnacle of traditional Kentucky distilling integrity.

Crafted at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky—the very property that Taylor once owned and transformed into a showcase distillery known as the O.F.C. (Old Fire Copper) Distillery—this whiskey is matured in the historic brick warehouses Taylor constructed. Taylor was a pioneer in warehouse design, experimenting with steam heating systems to maintain steady temperatures during harsh Kentucky winters. Today, barrels for this Small Batch release are selected from the heart of these historic rickhouses, where thick brick walls provide stable, consistent aging conditions throughout the year.

In strict accordance with the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch is the product of a single distillation season by a single master distiller at a single distillery, aged for a minimum of four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof (50% ABV). The whiskey is produced from Buffalo Trace's proprietary Mash Bill #1, fermented with pure limestone water and distilled in copper column stills before entering new charred American white oak casks. The small batch blend is meticulously assembled from a select group of mature barrels evaluated for their rich, robust character.

At exactly 50% alcohol by volume (100 proof), this bourbon delivers a formidable combination of bold flavor concentration and remarkable balance. The 100-proof strength provides a rich, viscous mouthfeel filled with flavors of butterscotch, salted caramel, dried dark fruit, sweet corn, and toasted oak. The higher proof amplifies the aromatic intensity while allowing the spicy warmth of cinnamon and black pepper to interplay cleanly with deep molasses and vanilla notes.

Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch is magnificent when enjoyed neat in a Glencairn glass, where its complex nose of licorice, butterscotch, and dried figs can be fully appreciated. Adding a few drops of water tempers the proof slightly, accentuating sweet bakery notes of cinnamon roll and vanilla custard. For cocktails, its 100-proof bonded strength provides an unyielding backbone in a classic Sazerac, Old Fashioned, or Manhattan.

This bottle is a prized possession for whiskey historians, collectors of Bottled-in-Bond expressions, and drinkers who appreciate bold, uncompromising Kentucky craftsmanship. It makes an outstanding gift for special occasions and a distinguished cornerstone for any serious bourbon collection.