Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr Four Grain Bottled in Bond
Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
50% ABV
$70
Website
What the Distillery Says
As the United States was recovering from the American Civil War in 1865, Col. Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. was ready to embark on a new business venture, having profited from the trading of grains such as corn during the war. Taylor purchased a small distillery on the banks of the Kentucky River with a vision of producing top quality whiskey distinguished from all others of that time. Taylor knew exceptional whiskey could only be crafted by using the finest ingredients, and his time selling grains during the war taught him that grains often varied tremendously from different farmers and harvests. This special edition Four Grain bourbon is crafted just as Taylor would have wanted. Using the highest quality grains and a distinct combination of corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley, to create a flavor that is sweet with hints of caramel and vanilla, yet spicy with notes of clove and pepper. After twelve years of aging, this impeccably balanced bourbon embodies the character of the man that would expect no less.
TASTING NOTES
Opens with an inviting aroma, with the first sip bringing a lot of character. Caramel notes are touched by sweet vanilla and caramel corn, then underwritten by slightly smoky flavors and oak tannins. It maintains a smooth evenness between the four grains interacting with the charred oak barrel. Overall, a nice balance, and unique.
What Gary Says
Nose: Caramel, subtle baking spices, oak, vanilla, malty note, hint of walnuts and grilled corn.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel, caramel, cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, sweet corn, subtle notes of orange.
Finish: Moderately long, damp with oak, caramel and nutty spice.
Comments: A tasty bourbon, although I would not have pegged this as 12 years old (was surprised by getting corn notes on something with that much age). It also didn’t have a lot of oak either, so guessing this was gently aged. While tasty, it didn’t stand out as all that special to me (honestly, it isn’t an automatic buy for me at retail – let alone what it goes for on the secondary market). Don’t get me wrong – nothing wrong with this, and if offered a pour I would take it – but if you’re thinking about paying over retail, I’d tread lightly (unless you’ve had it and it is right in your wheelhouse).