Bourbon Review · E.H. Taylor

E.H. Taylor Small Batch

Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon

4Buy This Bottle

Distillery Buffalo TraceOrigin Frankfort, KYType Bottled-in-Bond Straight BourbonABV 50% (100 proof)Price ~$35–40 retail

⚑ Placeholder review — tasting notes to be updated after the pour.

The Story

Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr. was one of the most important figures in bourbon history — a man so committed to quality that he lobbied Congress to pass the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, which required that whiskey labeled as such be aged a minimum of four years and bottled at exactly 100 proof under government supervision. The E.H. Taylor lineup from Buffalo Trace honors that legacy, and the Small Batch is the entry point: a bonded bourbon built from a blend of barrels that emphasizes consistency and character over single-barrel individuality.

Nose, Palate & Finish

Nose

Clean and inviting — caramel, vanilla, and a gentle spice on the nose with a pleasant toasted grain undercurrent. There's a faint honey note and a light floral quality. Straightforward but well-composed.

Palate

Medium body with a pleasant sweetness up front. Caramel, brown sugar, and a mild rye spice define the mid-palate. The 100 proof gives it more presence than the proof suggests — it's well-balanced and easy to drink neat. Not complex but very consistent.

Finish

Medium length, warm, and spiced. Vanilla and oak carry into the finish with a mild dryness. Clean exit.

The Verdict

E.H. Taylor Small Batch is the most accessible way into the Taylor lineup and a solid everyday bottle in its own right. At retail it's a great value for a bonded bourbon, and it's one of the better introductions to what Buffalo Trace does with a high-rye mashbill.