Individual Review: E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel (2019)

Opening Statement (Description of the Whiskey):

This is a bottled in bond straight Kentucky bourbon whiskey produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery as part of their E.H. Taylor, Jr. line. This bourbon is named after Colonel E.H. Taylor who was instrumental in lobbying the United States Congress to pass the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 to ensure products being labeled as whiskey meet specific standards. As a further tribute to his namesake, all the E.H. Taylor, Jr. bourbons are labeled Bottled in Bond (except the barrel proof version), meaning that they meet the strict criteria laid out in the United States Code of Federal Regulations (27 C.F.R. § 5.42(b)(3)) in order to call itself such. Additionally, all the E.H. Taylor, Jr. line is aged in the distillery's "Warehouse C," which Buffalo Trace claims was built by Taylor himself in 1881. The particular bottle for this tasting is from the 2019 release.

Parent Company: Sazerac Company

Distillery & Bottling Company: Buffalo Trace

Mash Bill: Unknown (Buffalo Trace says it uses their Mash Bill #1, but does not disclose what grains or proportions of those grains are in it)

Proof: 100

Age: Unknown

Direct Examination (AKA Tasting Notes):

Nose: Vanilla Bean Milkshake, Brown Sugar, Hint of Granny Smith Apple

Palate: Creamy Butterscotch and Caramel, Brown Sugar, Tobacco

Finish: Warm Cinnamon, Tree Nuts, and Oak Tannins

Mouth Feel: Medium

Cross Examination (AKA The Whiskey's Shortcomings):

I was expecting a little fruitiness on the palate and finish, but I didn't find any.

Closing Statements (AKA Conclusions about the Whiskey):

This is such an easy sipper. It is 100 proof but drinks like a 90 Proof whiskey. The classic bourbon flavors are all there and complement each other excellently. There is not any not any really unique note present in this expression of the 2019 release, but where this bourbon shines is how well the flavors mix and complement one another. This is a top notch bourbon and an excellent sipping experience.

Since this is a Single Barrel expression, there will be some variance between bottles depending on what barrel it is sourced from and what year it was released. As such I often get new and different notes every time I try this whiskey from a different bottle.

This is one of my all time favorite whiskeys. I first discovered it when I bought a bottle while looking to reward myself for making it halfway through law school. I was searching for a nice bottle that was $60-$100, and the elegant tube packaging of E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel caught my eye (way to go Buffalo Trace marketing team I guess). It was a completely blind buy that paid off. I spent the next 2 years looking for another bottle, but to no avail. So, whenever I see a bottle on the shelf I buy one (two if the store will let me).

Verdict (AKA Score): 8

Verdict Key:

10: I do not possess the vocabulary to adequately or accurately describe this masterpiece. It should not be possible for man to create such art.

9: Incredible. Hoard this stuff. Paying secondary market prices is totally worth it.

8: A real pleasure to sip. Always try to have at least one bottle and a backup on hand.

7: A solid pour. Daily drinker for sure. Try to have a bottle on hand.

6: Would not say no to a pour if offered to me, but I won't go out of my way to find it.

5: Good to mix with a coke.

4: Swing and a miss. A mixer makes it tolerable.

3: Only if I had nothing else to drink in the house.

2: Was this made in a prison toilet?

1: This is the stuff the KGB used to slowly and painfully kill prisoners.

0: An abomination of epic proportions. Should not be called whiskey.