Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch 750ML

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ML is an ultra-premium, highly sought-after spirit bottled at exactly 50% ABV (100 proof). Operating as a cornerstone of the highly allocated Buffalo Trace portfolio, this expression honors the strict legal guidelines of the historic Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. It consistently captures premier industry accolades—including multiple Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a 94-point score from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. It stands as an absolute benchmark for classic Kentucky bourbon, delivering a masterfully balanced, caramel-forward profile.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 proof) | Origin: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA | Classification: Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon | Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery | Size: 750ML

Production & Heritage

This expression is named in honor of Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr., an iconic founding father of the bourbon industry. In the post-Civil War era, Taylor revolutionized distilling by introducing copper fermentation vats and modern climate-controlled brick warehouses. Crucially, he was the primary driving force behind the passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, a landmark piece of consumer protection legislation designed to guarantee whiskey authenticity and combat widespread counterfeiting.

To legally carry the "Bottled-in-Bond" designation, this small-batch bourbon must adhere to rigorous federal standards: it must be the product of a single distilling season, crafted 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.

Taylor Small Batch utilizes Buffalo Trace’s legendary Mash Bill #1—a celebrated low-rye recipe (under 10% rye) that also underpins standard Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and the Stagg line. The barrels are meticulously selected from the inner tiers of the century-old brick warehouses constructed by Taylor himself. These specific locations offer a balanced, steady maturation environment, allowing the whiskey to absorb rich wood sugars without pulling overly aggressive, bitter oak tannins from the barrel.

Tasting Notes

• Aroma: Bright, sweet, and highly complex. The nose opens with an inviting wave of buttery caramel, sweet corn mash, and honey-drizzled toast, beautifully accented by secondary notes of dried apricots, red apple peel, and a delicate touch of toasted oak spice.

• Taste: Medium-to-full-bodied, oily, and remarkably smooth on the entry. The palate is treated to an immediate coating of liquid butterscotch, rich vanilla bean custard, and dark brown sugar. Over the mid-palate, a gentle rye spice develops, revealing sophisticated dimensions of baking cinnamon, black pepper, and candied orange peel.

• Finish: Long, warm, and highly elegant. The rich confectionery sweetness tapers off smoothly, leaving behind a clean signature of charred oak wood, fine tobacco leaf, and a lingering, sweet vanilla creaminess.

How to Drink E.H. Taylor Small Batch

Sipping this bourbon completely neat or over a single large block of slow-melting clear ice at room temperature is the ideal way to enjoy its balanced layout. At 100 proof, the alcohol heat is incredibly well-integrated, providing a satisfying chest warmth without overpowering the delicate fruit and baking spice complexities. In premium mixology, its robust Bottled-in-Bond structure makes it an elite cocktail anchor. It holds its ground perfectly inside a classic Old Fashioned or a Manhattan, where the spirit's innate caramel and vanilla sweetness effortlessly bridges with aromatic bitters.

Best For

• Enthusiasts looking to experience a certified Bottled-in-Bond whiskey from one of Kentucky’s most historic mash bills

• Gifting spirit collectors who appreciate classic, legacy-driven bourbon presentations and allocated Buffalo Trace expressions

• Serving as an elegant, conversation-starting centerpiece pour for home whiskey flights and social gatherings

• Elevating traditional stirred whiskey cocktails to a luxury tier

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does E.H. Taylor Small Batch taste like? It features a beautifully balanced profile that leads with upfront flavors of rich caramel, vanilla, and sweet corn, transitions into a gentle middle marked by cinnamon, black pepper, and orange zest, and concludes with a smooth finish of oak wood and tobacco.

• How does it compare to Eagle Rare 10 Year? Both are premium offerings that share Buffalo Trace's low-rye Mash Bill #1, but they are aged and proofed differently. Eagle Rare carries a 10-year age statement and is bottled at 90 proof, yielding a leaner, softer, and wood-forward profile that highlights oak char, leather, and dark cherry notes. E.H. Taylor Small Batch has no age statement (typically estimated at 6 to 8 years old) but is bottled at a higher 100 proof under Bottled-in-Bond rules, resulting in a noticeably richer, oilier texture with more robust butterscotch sweetness and vibrant baking spices.

• Why is it wrapped in a cardboard tube? Every bottle of E.H. Taylor is packaged inside a distinctive, heavy-duty cardboard canister tube featuring a vintage yellow-and-green design. This presentation meticulously replicates the original late-19th-century packaging choices utilized by Colonel Taylor to protect his authentic bottles from counterfeiters and light degradation.

• Where is this bourbon distilled? Every drop of this small batch is mashed, fermented, double-distilled, aged, and bottled under strict federal regulations at the Buffalo Trace Distillery (the historic former O.F.C. Distillery site) located in Frankfort, Kentucky.

• What foods pair well with this bourbon? Roasted pork tenderloin with an apple cider glaze or thick-cut smoked bacon perfectly match the spirit’s natural sweet corn and cinnamon elements. On a dessert spread, it pairs spectacularly next to warm pecan pie, vanilla bean crème brûlée, or dark chocolate truffles, where the 100-proof heat cuts through the rich fats.

Why E.H. Taylor Small Batch?

The primary technical advantage of Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch lies in its adherence to the Bottled-in-Bond standard combined with maturation in Taylor's historic brick warehouses, providing a structural density, texturing, and flavor fidelity that mass-market blended whiskeys cannot mimic. Its elite category placement is firmly secure, backed by a flawless history of critical praise and immense consumer demand. Delivering a magnificent taste of traditional American distilling history in an upscale, vintage-style format, this 750ml bottle represents an essential acquisition for any serious spirits collection.

Specifications

• Varietal/Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Small Batch)

• Product of: United States (Frankfort, Kentucky)

• Size: 750ML

• Classification: Bottled-in-Bond (100 Proof / 50% ABV)

• Brand: Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. (Buffalo Trace / Sazerac Company)