In this Series 3 episode, we discuss some Whiskey News, and in our feature, share how each of us go about reviewing and scoring new whiskies in our bunker. During the feature, we also talk about our Whiskey for the Ages Traits and Flavor Wheel, how it can be used to coax out those difficult to discern aromas and how you can download a wheel for yourself.
Brian’s Colonel EH Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 10Review:
reviewed 30-July-2023 posted 10-April-2024
COLONEL EH TAYLOR BARREL PROOF BATCH 10 BOURBON REVIEW:
This review for this allocated bourbon was completed in two parts. Listen to our initial thoughts on our Podcast S01E10 WftA – Listener Pick EH Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 10 Bourbon Review. The second and more comprehensive assessment was completed a few days later, at a much more leisurely pace, and appears below.
Colonel EH Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 10 (EHTBPB10) offers a complex profile. Aromas and flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, almond, toffee, and dark fruits of cherry, prune, and raisin fruit leather bound from the glass. And while spices of nutmeg and white pepper blended in pretzel bread are a bit unusual, they go well with the pour’s earthy notes of grass, wood, and smoke to culminate in a long, throat-warming finish.
COLONEL EH TAYLOR BARREL PROOF BATCH 10 VITAL STATS:
Category: Barrel Proof Bourbon Region: Frankfort, KY, USA Distillery: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 – Low Rye (consensus internet estimate: ~75% Corn, <10% Rye and ~15% Barley) Barrel Char: #4 Barrel entry proof: 125 Age: nas (Buffalo Trace reports EHT bourbon ages in warehouses built by Col EH Taylor himself and said to be 7-8 years old.) Filtration: EHTBP Bourbon is Uncut and Unfiltered ABV: 63.65% (127.3 Proof) NABCA CSC #: 21600 Fair Price: $246.99 (BoozApp, Dec. 2023) Price Paid: $70.95 USD (Nov 2021 Idaho) Availability: Limited, highly allocated, mid-year releases Bottle Laser Code 2113301 17:38D – Bottling Year: 2021 – Bottling Day: 133th day of the year (May 13) – Production Run: 01 – Bottling Time: 17:38 – Bottling Line: D EH Taylor Batch numbers do not appear on labels. Bottling dates and proof statements determine the batch.
Taken out of the newly opened bottle, the first one and a half ounces mixed with the bourbon in our Infinity Bottle Project. With alternating the pours, four once review amounts then went into three Glencairns. My daughters and I enjoyed the bourbon neat as we prepared this review.
For other WftA Batch 10 assessments, click to read Hannah’sand/orElora’sreviews.
COLONEL EH TAYLOR BARREL PROOF BATCH 10 NOSE:
When the bottle of EHTBPB10 is first opened, a sweet waft of brown sugar, vanilla, and almond toffee fills the air. Upon pouring, the aroma becomes earthy with a noticeable presence of ethanol. As my nose acclimates, dark cherry, almond, and a medley of dark fruits like raisin and prune add complexity. Then nutmeg and white pepper spice up the experience, while bittersweet chocolate undertones add depth. Amidst these rich scents, damp wood and dark barrel char emerge, making my senses come full circle. The aromas within are inviting, and demand both exploration and contemplation.
COLONEL EH TAYLOR BARREL PROOF BATCH 10 PALATE:
The first sip of EHTBPB10 greets with notes of ethanol. As the alcohol fades away, Bing cherry and a dark fruit leather of raisin and prune treats the palate. These notes blend with black pepper and the yeasty depth of dark crusted pretzel bread. As I take additional sips, flavors of chocolate nibs, vanilla, and faint brown sugar emerge. Throughout the tasting experience, a woody, barrel-spiced undertone couples with a blend of earthy grass and smoke, which contribute complexity of the pour.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look: With the proof, the first contact gives the tongue quite a tickle. Even with this, subsequent sips are relatively easy to hold. EHTBPB10 is well-blended pour. The aromas and flavors balance from the initial nosing on through to the finish. The liquid has a tawny-carrot colored hue and just moments after each sip, a tiny spotted crown appears.
COLONEL EH TAYLOR BARREL PROOF BATCH 10 FINISH:
The finish of Colonel EH Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 10 is long and throat-warming, complemented by grassy notes and the lingering sensation of soft-dried dark prunes. Allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and white pepper contribute to its complex but balanced profile which develops slowly in the esophagus after each swallow. The hint of pretzel bread detected on the nose and palate balances the faint nuances of chocolate, vanilla, and toffee undertones. And much like I sensed on the nose, the finish carries an old, damp dark wood, barrel char, along with a faint mustiness. And when I breath in the empty Glencairn, my throat feels the effects of a smoky air, adding an intriguing element to the final stages of the tasting experience.
