Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon

Excellent!

Tastes better than your best friend.

The nose is spicy and oily with some herbal notes and hint of licorice. The nose also has plentiful rich vanilla and hints of almond as well as something meatier like gochujang pork. The palate is rich and oily with a prickly spiciness that doesn't overwhelm. The richness has a bit too much bitterness and oiliness, but sweet vanilla and toasted almond come in, giving it a hedonistic flavor. It's sweet, but also has a strong bitterness the mixes licorice with gochujang pork a bit - the age and char definitely come through. While the char doesn't overwhelm, it is a bit more present than I'd like and the flavor despite being well rounded isn't incredibly deep and complex. It has a faint allusion to fruit and floral elements, but those characteristics are barely present. Smoke is quite strong here, as is oil and some tartness (the sweetness is much stronger though). The harshness of the spiciness and the high proof gradually builds up and borders on becoming overwhelming, but with some water it is well under control. The viscosity is really incredible. This is a terrific bourbon, though it lacks complexity and has some flaws. It tastes like a much older version of a standard bourbon. Unlike with Corsair Grainiac, the various grains don't stand out here with added complexity. It's very tasty and the bitterness and smoke eventually die down, though the pepper stays there with a bit of a tart kick. It's full and rich with a lot of nice sweet vanilla. This is a bourbon for manly men. The odd gochujang flavor continues to come through, though it never is overwhelming. It's very good and I'd put it about on par with Booker's and Belle Meade Cask Strength, though the odd flavors push it down a bit. Belle Meade Cask Strength is probably the closer comparison - spicy and not quite as good. As good as it is though, the price is really hard to justify.

Sweet vanilla on the nose with a hint of oak. The palate begins with a short hit of sweet vanilla followed by a rye spice that again fades to a frosting type sweetness. The finish is medium with a decent hug. As the finish fades more spice comes through on the palate.

By far, the best I've ever had. So smooth. So much flavor. No "alcohol" after taste.

Nose- Maple, lemon, caramel, powdered sugar, wood spice Palate- buttered pancakes, maple, dried cherries, vanilla, dry oak Finish- long, drying finish with notes of cherries and wood spice Really nice and balanced. Beautiful nose, and great palate with notes of buttered pancakes. Nice long finish. Would be very satisfied if I bought and drank this for MSRP. But 550+? No way in hell.