Hannah’s Colonel E.H. Taylor Single Barrel Review
Original review written on December 24, 2019
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The first time I had this, I was a little disappointed – not because it was bad, but just not all I had hoped for. However, it does/did improve greatly, and I’d buy it again. Read my Colonel EH Taylor Single Barrel Review here! 89/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Buffalo Trace Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Single Barrel; Bottled in Bond
– Age: nas; indicated that aging occurs only in Buffalo Trace’s Warehouse C (est. 1881 by Colonel E.H. Taylor himself) and is likely at least 7 yrs old.
– Mash Bill: undisclosed but assumed to be Buffalo Trace recipe #1
Corn=75%; Rye=<10%; Malted Barley=15%
– Casks: undisclosed char
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 50% (100 proof)
– Price: $69.95 USD in Idaho
Visit buffalotracedistillery.com for more information
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
Pull out your favorite flask and take E.H. Taylor Single Barrel with you and explore and enjoy an outdoor adventure with your best friends. Pass it around and make sure to have lots of laughs.
Photo by Cristina Cerda on Unsplash
NOSE:
Vanilla jumps out the most for me, followed by the classic flavor combination of cherry and almonds. So much so that it could even be called cake-ey. At 100 proof, there isn’t a great deal of alcohol burn, aside from the deep inhales where there is a bright citrusy element, possibly mandarin orange. But it seems candied with a dusting of sugar. Again, I only get it on deeper inhales. I find a sweet oak underneath, mixed with a HINT of white pepper.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Oily and very pleasant.
– Balance: Simple. Tried and true. Don’t fix what isn’t broken.
– Visual: Auburn in color, I love the clarity of this one! Coats the glass with slow-dropping legs.
– Taste: The first sip is a game of tag – with maraschino cherries chasing after the mandarin orange from the nose. The vanilla is light, dominated by a simple syrup/fruit cup syrup. The alcohol is once again subtle, giving just a tickle at the back of the palate. The lack of any distinctive spice to balance the low alcohol concentration makes me feel a little that there is a floor or foundation that’s a little unstable. Luckily, the oak component is more seasoned, making the tongue tingle with warmth.
A Kentucky chew gets the alcohol and white pepper churning into the vanilla which creates a lot of excitement, but pushes the fruit to the side. I feel like there’s something small missing, but this remains very enjoyable nonetheless.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Long. The bourbon sensation just lingers and lingers in the mouth, but doesn’t go beyond that to the throat or chest.
– Between Sips: Almonds and cherries sit comfortably in the pauses between sips along with vanilla if you’re really looking for it.
– No More: The flavors really don’t change much in this one, and while I appreciate its uniformity throughout all of the categories, it does put this spirit in a one-trick-pony category. At least it’s a good trick!
– The empty Glencairn is a soft oak with just a touch of alcohol, but it won’t hurt you.
WORTH THE PRICE?
If you’re an E.H. Taylor/Bottled in Bond fan, this is one to grab, even at the price point. I’d buy again.
RATING: 89/100
Click to see Hannah’s rating process
Click 89/100 to access other whiskies with this rating.
To see other whiskies from this brand, click EH Taylor, Jr.
Back to …
