Review: EH Taylor Small Batch
E.H. Taylor Small Batch
Type: Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
Company: Sazerac
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Availability: Accessible, yet somewhat difficult to find depending on where you live
Proof: Bottled in Bond, 100 proof
Age: Minimum four years
Mash Bill: Mash Bill #1 (low rye mash bill, less than 10% rye)
Color: Light amber
MSRP: $40 (+/-)
2nd Hand Market Price: NA
Nose: 28
The nose on this bourbon isn’t terribly overwhelming, but it had some unique characteristics that I enjoyed more and more as time went on. Up front, there was a mustiness that was reminiscent of walking through a Buffalo Trace rick house. The scent overwhelmed the nose at first and dissipated quickly, leaving some saw dust and oak notes. It had a nice finish of corn and grain sweetness that invited to me take a sip.
Palate: 27
The mustiness carried into the first taste of this bottled in bond bourbon. It had older, even dusty qualities, up front that led into some nice black pepper and oak notes. The bourbon is balanced out with some sweet corn and vanilla notes for a solid sipper.
Finish: 28
Similar to previous observations, the finish maintained the musty qualities found on the nose and palate. I got freshly cut wood and oak with lots of corn sweetness that rounded out with a nice dry finish.
Value: Pretty good!
With an MSRP of $40 +/- this bourbon is worth picking up if you see it. E.H. Taylor Small Batch is one of the bourbons that I always like to have on the bar and can pull out to impress anyone, despite their bourbon acumen. In a blind taste test, it would be interesting to see how it compares to the lower shelf bottled in bond offerings, but I would pick up the Small Batch and have a back up ready to go.
Final Report: 83
There’s something that gets my heart pumping when I see that iconic yellow tube on the shelf. It’s elegance seem to get me every time. The tube looks great on the bar and doubles for extra storage in the workshop. The bottle is heavy and carries a bold tax stamp that makes me feel like I’m actually with the Colonel. Buffalo Trace does a great job with the entire E.H. Taylor lineup and if you can find any of them, I highly recommend picking them up if they’re close to retail. The Small Batch and Single Barrel offerings remind me of store pick Eagle Rare offerings only with a higher proof. The limited releases that I have had (Four Grain, Barrel Proof, and Seasoned Wood) are a nice compliment to the lineup, but also much more difficult and expensive to find. To sum it up, E.H. Taylor Small Batch is a must have for any bar. It makes a great introduction to bottled in bond bourbons; however carries a bit higher MSRP than other offerings that are also very solid drinkers. I would recommend drinking neat in a glencairn glass. When you find it, BIN!
Blake Johnson