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

As good as the SMB, if not better. More pricey than I would hope, but still one to go after.

Nose of grass and vanilla, palate of spice and vanilla, smooth finish

This tastes a lot like the Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch. The wood and spice might be a bit reduced, but there is still some oil and a rancid flavor persists near the end. There is some sweetness, but bitterness and tartness are strong. The rye is clearly present, making this like a more sophisticated rye whiskey that I don't really love. I appreciate the depth and fullness of the flavor, but it's kind of a trial to drink. If at least the cinnamon were less extreme, this would be somewhat more palatable. It is better than the Small Batch though, if only slightly. Several months later, this smells rich and somewhat fruity but understated. It's less robust and in-your-face than the barrel proof is, but it has a nice amount of woody richness and some balanced fruitiness. There is some notable spice, but it is under control. The flavor is not terribly complex, but it is rich and good. This is a great choice for a sipper. There's some cherry and pepper and clove and smoke (I guess). There's almond and hazelnut adding subtle richness in the background. Everything is in a very nice balance. It's sweet enough but not overwhelmingly so. The corn is present and keeps everything under control. There's some cocoa in here, but this isn't one of those uber chocolatey whiskies. It's a great drink though and is well worth sipping with its cherry, smoke, hint of tobacco, cinnamon, pepper, clove, toffee, nuts, mild tangerine, and vanilla backing. There's a hint of anise, but it's very under control.