If you must know, Colonel E.H. Taylor was a janitor at Buffalo Trace distillery in the 1770’s. He then joined the military, became a Colonel, and single handedly won the Battle of Ticonderoga while plastered from drinking an allocated bottle of Sazerac Rye 18. He also invented bourbon with his best friend, Elijah Craig. Now that those obligatory and also untrue historical points are out of the way, let’s talk about today’s review of Colonel E. H. Taylor Small Batch bourbon.
Introduced in 2011, the Colonel EH Taylor line is presented as a premium brand for Buffalo Trace. For today’s bottle, at least, it does not present too distinct of a difference to justify a new brand apart from what BT already offers. But hey, if you can get away with higher prices for the same whiskey, go for it. The Small Batch is the entry bottling in the Colonel’s line, and also possesses the subtitle “Bottled in Bond.” (See our review of Rittenhouse to explain what Bottled in Bond means) This is no marketing touch, by the way. In today’s world of NDP bourbon, the Bottled in Bond designation is a mark of quality and credibility, and I like it. Our Kentucky Straight’s ABV clocks in at 50% and no age is stated (probably 7 years old, though). On to it….
SWC Review
Nose– Unmistakable Buffalo Trace characteristics. Vanilla and oak. Grape juice. Caramel and saw dust. Grain. Pear and burnt sugar.
Taste– Sweet pipe tobacco. Caramel with fruit. Nice mouth feel. Repeat of nose.
Finish- Warming heat with charred oak and vanilla. Burnt sugar. Medium length.
Comment- Nicely done. A standard sipper and plenty to enjoy. A bit too thin for price and proof but it works.
SWC Rating – 87/100
Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment below and prepare your emotions.
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