WhiskeyMike901
Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
January 7, 2019 (edited November 28, 2019)
Col Edmund Haynes Taylor was one of bourbon’s founding fathers after operating the Old Fashioned Copper (OFC) Distillery well over a hundred years ago. Their Small Batch BiB is the entry level expression in the EHT line of bourbons. While Eagle Rare can be considered a premium Buffalo Trace product, EH Taylor is positioned above Eagle Rare but below the Blanton's, Elmer, or BTAC collection in pecking order. For the $10 premium over the already great Eagle Rare, is this entry into the Taylor bourbon line worth the extra cost? Let's find out!
I normally don't make much ado about the packaging with a bourbon and focus primarily on what counts, that being the flavors. But I will point out with EH Taylor SB, you do get a very nice packaging tube which makes for nice presentation, and is more reminiscent of a nice scotch packaging. And said tube carries a bit of history and information about this fine bourbon, but one of the more interesting pieces of information to ponder while you sip is that this bourbon is aged in warehouses Mr. Taylor constructed over a century ago.
Enjoyed neat in a Glencairn, no added water. The nose is immediately so inviting of a sip with rich and fairly complex notes of sweet fruits and cherries dipped in a hint of dark chocolate, butterscotch, and toasted sugar but also a bit of ethanol underneath it all. Sweet toasted oak binds it all together. Just a wonderful start for this bourbon!
Palate begins beautifully oily and creamy, initially sweet turning a bit tart mid taste. Cinnamon and clove spice lead off the taste with surprising little heat for the ABV. Mid palate begins the complexity with a mix of dark chocolate, citrus zest, touch of coffee at times, fruity, and a nice toasted oak backbone. Everything is so balanced and flavors come in waves. Definitely more lively, complex, and flavorful than Eagle Rare with enhanced spiciness. Seems like a worthy $10 upgrade from ER!
Finish is medium to longish once the palate adjusts, but wish it lasted a bit longer. It leaves a delicious light tobacco and leather, lingering peppery spice, toasted oak, and sweet honey. Finishes a bit dry.
Overall, such terrific bourbon from Buffalo Trace! For a BiB it is easily drinkable, fairly complex, and so well balanced. EHT shares some of the darker fruit notes with Eagle Rare but goes up another level in brightness and complexity. While I greatly enjoy ER, it can be overly dark and less spicy at times, while the Taylor is having none of that. At the low to mid $40 range a definite worthwhile purchase for BTrace fans or those looking for a great premium bourbon experience at a fair price for the quality. With so many of BTrace's premium bourbons being scarce and commanding sky high prices, it's nice to enjoy one of their premiums at this price and always being on the shelf here. You could easily pay more for other bourbons and not get as nice a pour. Also consider Rare Breed, Knob Creek SiB, or Makers 46 though in this price range. Cheers!
41.0
USD
per
Bottle
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Really enjoyed your review. Eagle Rare is had to find in my area but EHT is fairly easy to find except EHT barrel proof.
@dubz480 sure does. I’m pulling the trigger on my next trip to the store.
@LeeEvolved at least the Virginia craft won’t beat my Girvan and Abhainn Barf 🤮
@PBMichiganWolverine @Scott_E - fortunately (and unfortunately) I was able to get one bottle. Virginia’s ABC board offered the bottle through the rare and limited lottery system and I won the ability to purchase one bottle at retail. If I had known the value was gonna go through the roof you fine fellows would’ve gotten a pour of some Virginia craft distillery bourbon instead, hahaha.
@PBMichiganWolverine Yes this was a SDT extra. @LeeEvolved hopefully did grab more than one bottle as these are selling for $500+ a bottle.
@Scott_E that Four Grain was part of the SDT I think ? From @LeeEvolved...I recall that the lucky bastard got it at $80. He should’ve bought a caseload
@dubz480 Interesting, thanks for the extra info sir! I definitely want to give the SiB a shot (maybe literally haha) at some point to compare. Cheers!
@WhiskeyMike901 Nice review. Will have to seek this out as well. Like @PBMichiganWolverine, I had only tasted the four grain which was fantastic and now unattainable.
@deuce26 @WhiskeyMike901, I have done some blinds with the Single vs Small Batch and for most releases I have found the difference to not be worth the extra cost (I pay about $40 for SB and $68 for SiB). The Single Barrels typically just have a more amplified profile. However, every so often (like this year's release) the Single Barrel expressions are simply outstanding. Hope that helps.
@WhiskeyMike901 gotcha. Small batch versus single barrel. Thanks!
@WhiskeyMike901 great review. I don’t think I’ve had this one. I did have a pour of their Four Grain, which was simply amazing.
@deuce26 The EHT Small Batch runs around $41 a bottle and the EHT Single Barrel runs double at $80. I haven't actually tried the Single Barrel version to compare, but I hear the much cheaper small batch gives you about 90% of the flavor. I'd go with small batch.
@WhiskeyMike901 okay so the jr is a cheaper version of the regular single barrel then?
@deuce26 If your a big fan of BTrace, this is a great step into their world of premiums without taking out a second mortgage from the BTAC line. I haven't tried the EH Taylor Single Barrel product at $80, but I hear this one is fairly close in flavor and obviously much cheaper! Cheers!
Sounds great. I like Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare so definitely need to try this. Thanks.
@Rick_M Thank you sir! Not sure how much I really know, but I do know I love it and that's what counts I suppose! Thanks for the shout out in the people recommendation list! Didn't even know there was such a list in the app haha. Hopefully others can enjoy and appreciate these whiskeys as much as I do! Cheers!
@WhiskeyMike901 - you know your bourbon. Great job!
Great Review! If this one were more available here in NC it would be heavy in my rotation. It is my favorite sub-$40 and probably in my top 5 for all bourbons.
@Whiskey_Hound. Thank you kindly! Absolutely agree once you hit around the $40 mark a whole new world opens up with so many fantastic options! The EHT is darn near the top right now, so well done! My local store has several bottles of the latest George T Stagg at $400 a pop, and it leaves me pondering if it's worth 10 bottles of the EHT, lol. I love Wild Turkey bourbons, and if they are your thing also, you must try Rare Breed! Simply delicious! Cheers!
This one of my favorites. And I've got to agree that ER, Maker's 46, Knob Creek SiB,along with Four Roses SiB, are the cream of the crop at this price point. I've yet to try Rare Breed, but I'll Russell's 10 for good measure. Anyway, awesome review