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

This bourbon has a well-balanced nose of vanilla, oak, and caramel, with one extra cool flavor: strawberry gumdrops. Compared to the nose, the palate seems hollow in some ways, featuring some corn and sweet caramel, but not much else. I kept tasting it and wondering when more flavors would emerge, but it presents the same solid if unexceptional flavors. The finish opens up with apple cider and baking spices, some astringent oak, and then has a lingering heat. It's hotter than I expected at this ABV, and not quite worth the $70-80 price tag it commands.

On a long weekend trip to bourbon country in Kentucky this weekend I had a chance to sample some of this fine whiskey that I have never seen in my home area. I managed to put together some notes even though the wife was with me; she has learned to indulge my tasting on occasion and may even be starting to appreciate whiskey herself (more on that in another review). This whiskey is a 100 proof Single Barrel edition named after the "grandfather" of modern bourbon, Col. EH Taylor. The barmaid was savvy enough to serve it in a glencairn without my asking, which was much appreciated, although a little surprising. Distilled by Buffalo Trace, it was a dark gold in the glass with nice long legs when swirled. The nose was very nice, with little to no burn from the alcohol. All of the classic bourbon notes were present in spades: caramel, smoky oak, vanilla, and some light fruity hanging around in the background. The palate was basically one of the same with sweet corn, caramel, and oak dominating. Maybe it was the bar atmosphere or maybe it was just not being able to devote my full attention to it, but I couldn't get much more out of it. It had a full mouthfeel and a medium oaky finish that made me want more but, alas, it was gone! Overall this was a really good dram. It goes for $70 online. I'd have to really think about it before I put out $70 for a bottle of this. It's probably worth it, but with a limited budget there are other cheaper bottles (i.e. Elijah Craig) that are just about as good as what I got out of this. Solid 4.25. Cheers!

Nose : Amazing!! Apple, Vanilla, Toffee, Lite Oak Proof: 100 bonded Flavor: Delicious!! Taste light apple , lite cinnamon , toffee, lite chocolate , little burn, medium finish Get a bottle or 10 , worth the extra $20 over the small batch YES, and the small batch is fantastic !!

Nose of apple, spice, and caramel. Slightly sweet and oaky with dry wood finish.

Such a great blend of sweet & spice. Someone on the board said apple pie and I can feel that. Much longer finish than the small batch.