Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon

CEHT Single Barrel-Fall 2019 Just realized I'm at my 200th Tasting (can't believe it was almost Skrewball), so I thought I'd review something good. This is a Single Barrel so Your Mileage May Vary. NOSE: Grape is what jumps out of the bottle on the first cork pop. It is also present in the glencairn as well but fades rather quickly to Dusty Oak, Leather, Varnish, Dried Spices like Black Pepper Cardamom and Allspice. After that initial fruitiness, there is not much sweetness until Marshmallow, Barrel Char, and light Orange Peel show up about midway through. This is a complex shapeshifter if you're patient. NEAT: Sweet Clingy Fruit. Apples, Grapes, Pear. "Jammy". Not notes I typically get from Bourbon. Some Black Pepper Spice. A Coca-Cola note that is just hinted at. Medium Length Slightly Warming Finish. Nice coating mouthfeel that leaves Vanilla and Slightly Astringent Musty Oak. Each sip adds a layer, leading to a cumulative layering that is one of my favorite characteristics of a great whiskey. SPLASH: The Orange Peel is now front and center on the nose. The palate gains more typical bourbony Caramel and Butterscotch notes. That Cola note that was almost there before? There it is. Oddly makes the finish a little more peppery and spicy. VERDICT: If memory serves, this is the most I've spent on a bottle of Bourbon ($72). It's either this or Forged Oak which was also 70'ish. Despite my love of the Small Batch version (if not my favorite Bourbon, it's top 5), I could just never make myself pay an almost 75% premium for the Single Barrel. Now?? I could definitely see myself picking up another bottle the next time I get the opportunity.

The nose is almost non-existent to me. Surprising, with how much I enjoy the SmB. Palate: a little “Smarties” candy and other typical bourbon flavors. Finish: peppery and smooth.

I’ve had the Small Batch but never a single barrel. Finally found one and am giving it a go. The nose has cherry, green apple hard candy, brown sugar. On later nosings after the first few sips I really get that Buffalo Trace mashbill #1 dark fruit (plumbs etc). The palate has some dark fruit, some oak, and a little bit of leather. slightly nutty. The finish is nice and long. Nothing too overpowering or harsh. Just nice, with a good 100 proof burn. Compared to my Small Batch, and it’s definitely similar but with a few very different notes. The small batch had more baking spices and leather, where the Single Barrel had more dark fruit and some nuttiness.