A Collector’s Favorite Bourbon from Buffalo Trace
Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bottled in Bond Straight Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) ($39.99)
“If you’re a fan of Buffalo Trace bottlings and you’ve never been able to snag a bottle of their smaller production stuff, this is the perfect place to start.” —Andrew Whiteley, K&L NorCal Spirits Buyer

Featured here is one of the most sought-after and collectible Bourbons in the market today. In the past few years, when we were lucky enough to get a minuscule allocation, it was parsimoniously doled out by the bottle. Everything we acquired would sell out on the site, often in minutes. This time around, however, we were able to secure a large enough parcel of the Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bottled in Bond Straight Kentucky Bourbon that we are offering it with no limits on a one-time basis. Based on its cult status and its very affordable price of $39.99, we expect it to fly off our shelves. Easily among our favorite bottlings from Buffalo Trace’s impressive portfolio, the E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch with its high corn mashbill and strong wood influence offers the perfect complement of sweet grain and spice. Despite what you might assume given its 100 proof designation, this Kentucky Bourbon has a surprisingly smooth approach that’s perfect for sipping. Considering the overall rarity and incredibly reasonable price, this is one to buy a few bottles for the near term and a few more to store away for a special occasion. Don’t delay, as once our allocation is gone, we likely won’t see another until next year.

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bottled in Bond Straight Kentucky Bourbon (750ml) ($39.99)

This bourbon, bottled in bond, was aged for seven years in the famous Colonel Taylor’s warehouse built in 1881. It is the latest from the sought-after E.H. Taylor line from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Soft and subtle, this is easily the most approachable and affordable of the recent Taylor releases. The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 means that the bourbon come from barrels all produced at one distillery, in a single season, and then stored in a bonded warehouse for at least four years before being bottled at 100 proof.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 06, 2019

I never thought I’d see the day we could secure enough of this to shout it from the roof tops! Colonel Taylor Small Batch is finally here in more than six-bottle-at-a-time quantities! Hallelujah. If you’re a fan of Buffalo Trace bottlings, and you’ve never been able to snag a bottle of their smaller production stuff, this is the perfect place to start. The high corn mashbill in combination with a big woody profile gives an incredible combination of sweet and spicy without relying heavily on rye grain. The 100 proof required by the bottled-in-bond act is actually a perfect spot for sipping. It’s robust enough to stand up in cocktails and sexy enough to enjoy on its own. The flavors are sweet candied corn, mature floral notes, and tons of spicy wood and clove and burnt orange peel. It’s time to case up, ’cause we have no idea if or when this opportunity will come again.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 07, 2019

It’s been a little while since I’ve sat down and evaluated this product thoroughly. A standard in my back bar when I can get it, but I tend “to drink and not think” this one, if you know what I mean. The fact that it’s recently become slightly more available (for what will certainly be a short period of time) means I get to take some time to consider this one thoroughly. Supposedly the same mash bill as George T. Stagg, I actually get a strong similarity to another famously hard to get Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Rock Hill Farms. Maybe it’s a warehousing thing or the fact that they’re both 100 proof, but the mashbills on the two should be different. The nose still has tons of sweet dark oak spice, strong Tahitian vanilla, and caramel. There are also touches of barnyard and dried vegetation. Big sweet corn appears on the palate with a lovely kick thanks to the higher proof. This is the perfect whisky to go in between Eagle Rare and Blanton’s, and the shoe fits perfectly, figuratively speaking. Sad we don’t get to sell this on the regular, but hopefully more stocks will continue to open up on this excellent brand.

Shaun Green | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: February 06, 2019

Wow! Great classic bourbon is so hard to find and E.H. Taylor (along with all the stable) is almost always in short supply. Wonderfully spicy and alluring, viscous, and showing the slightly sweet corn and oak qualities I love without being cloying or overly woody. Especially for a 100 proof whiskey, it is amazingly smooth on the palate and finishes super fine.