Tastes

Not tasting as good for me today compared to my prior review. More tart cherries (almost medicinal) and tannic oak on the palate and finish. Still get some faint vanilla and brown sugar, but that minerality lingers as well.

Glencairn, neat, rested 15 min NOSE: sweet and sour spice, leather, caramel PALATE: cherry, baking spices, sweet, not hot but some spice/pepper (in a good way) FINISH: caramel, toasty, short THOUGHTS: this is different then I remember, but in a good way. The nose and palate offer various layers that I didn’t pickup the last time I tried this. AFFORDABILITY RATING: 5 out of 5. This was flooded into CO recently and can be picked up for $25-$30. Well worrh it at that price.

Glencairn, neat, rested 15 min NOSE: vanilla, sweet oak, small touch of cedar? PALATE: vanilla, sweey, bready, a little chocolate toward the end FINISH: short, mostly sweet and light THOUGHTS: The normal maker’s is nothing special to me. It’s light and pleasant. Their other products are where they shine (private barrels, 101, wood finishing series). AFFORDABILITY RATING: 4 out of 5. Still an affordable, adequate wheated bourbon.

Glencairn, neat, rested 15 min NOSE: strong caramel, floral, some sweetness, oak PALATE: spicy, caramel, oily, charred oak, cherry FINISH: medium-long, heat lingers, caramel and oak THOUGHTS: I was a little disappointed in this one. I had heard great things and it didn’t quite live up to the hype. It’s still great and I’ll have to blind against the B524 I have saved. AFFORDABILITY RATING: 5 out of 5. Picked this up for $63 and i will for sure get a backup. Incredible value in these barrel proofs.

Glencairn, neat, rested 15 min NOSE: boozy, vanilla icing, caramel, a little oak PALATE: sweet, cinnamon, cherry cola FINISH: long, heat lingers, cocoa, oak THOUGHTS: This was my first EH Taylor barrel proof and it didn’t disappoint. I’ll have to try this with some ice or water in the future as I thought it was drinking pretty hot. A lot of great flavors though and happy it lived up to the hype. AFFORDABILITY RATING: 2 out of 5. I got this for $170 and was happy about that. I wouldn’t pay that much for it again though. I think $120-$130 is my max on these. Automatic buy if $100 or below.

Scotch flight with Glenfiddich 12 Year, Glenmorangie 12 Year, and Macallan Quest. Quest was the winner, followed by Glenmorangie, then Glenfiddich. Glencairn, neat, rested 15 min NOSE: vanilla, apple, oak PALATE: caramel, oak, apple, raisin FINISH: sweet, oak, apple pie THOUGHTS: this is a fun one, a lot of bourbon notes and some apple pie. I wish I could find one of these

Scotch flight with Glenfiddich 12 Year, Glenmorangie 12 Year, and Macallan Quest. Quest was the winner, followed by Glenmorangie, then Glenfiddich. Glencairn, neat, rested 15 min NOSE: orange, citrus, honey PALATE: vanilla, oak, a little baking spice, peaches & cream? FINISH: sweet, honey, a little oak THOUGHTS: very good, the orange is very strong in this and I bet it’s great with a cigar. It’s pretty affordable as well.

Scotch flight with Glenfiddich 12 Year, Glenmorangie 12 Year, and Macallan Quest. Quest was the winner, followed by Glenmorangie, then Glenfiddich. Glencairn, neat, rested 15 min NOSE: floral, apple, smells like a white wine PALATE: sweet, fruity, creamy FINISH: light, sweetness lingers with subtle oak THOUGHTS: it’s light and sweet. Higher proof I think would help.

Glencairn, neat, rested 15 min NOSE: floral, very sweet/honey, a little coconut PALATE: smooth, sweet, honey, a little ginger? FINISH: not much lingers for me, some oak and sweetness THOUGHTS: it’s fine, not really my cup of tea though. I’m getting a lot of sweetness and not a lot of depth. I’m looking for some spice and not getting any. AFFORDABILITY RATING: 4 out of 5. It’s very easy drinking and very affordable.

Glencairn, neat, rested 15 min According to the “etching,” this was bottled in 2025. NOSE: caramel, cherry, not cinnamon but something I can’t quite figure out, sweet oak PALATE: oily, caramel, sweet, a little cherry cola FINISH: vanilla, burnt sugar, drying, oak, spice THOUGHTS: this is certainly an elevated version of the small batch (also great IMO). Just a great bourbon on all fronts, not much else to say. EH Taylor is probably my favorite product line of Buffalo Trace. AFFORDABILITY RATING: 3 out 5. I want to rate this higher but it’s nearly impossible to find at MSRP. I picked this up for $90 and was pretty happy about that. I would go up to $100, but $80 or below are automatic buys.