Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Antique Collection 750ML

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Antique Collection 750ML is a 15-year-old, 100-proof Kentucky straight bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Scoring 97 points at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge — higher than several legendary allocated releases — and earning F. Paul Pacult's coveted 5-star Highest Recommendation in the Spirit Journal, this annual Antique Collection release stands among the most acclaimed American whiskeys produced in recent memory.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 proof)  |  Origin: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 15 Years 4 Months  |  Distillery: Buffalo Trace

Production & Heritage

Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. was the 19th-century bourbon pioneer who helped establish the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 — legislation requiring whiskey to be the product of a single distilling season, a single distillery, aged at least four years, and bottled at exactly 100 proof. This Antique Collection expression follows that standard while vastly exceeding the minimum age requirement at 15 years and 4 months, distilled in spring 2010 using Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1, a low-rye grain recipe. The liquid matured in new white oak barrels with a deep #4 "alligator" char, drawn from seven different warehouses (K, L, P, N, U, I, and C) across six different floors. A staggering 62% evaporation loss — the angel's share — meant fewer than four barrels survived from every ten originally filled, concentrating the remaining bourbon to an extraordinary degree.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Warm vanilla and butterscotch greet the nose first, giving way to seasoned oak, charred undertones, and a gentle drizzle of maple sweetness. Deeper investigation reveals baked apple, nutmeg, clove, and a faint leathery richness characteristic of extended aging.

Taste: The entry is lush with sweet vanilla and caramel before baking spices — cinnamon, nutmeg — build across the mid-palate. At its peak, gentle wood notes emerge alongside tobacco leaf, spiced applesauce, and a subtle flash of citrus peel that prevents the sweetness from becoming cloying. Despite 15-plus years in oak, the balance between wood influence and grain sweetness remains remarkably composed.

Finish: Long, warming, and layered, with seasoned oak and vanilla gradually giving way to soft caramel, dried fruit, and a whisper of cherry. The char-driven depth lingers without bitterness, a testament to both the barrel selection and the extended maturation.

How to Drink E.H. Taylor Antique Collection

A bourbon of this age and complexity deserves to be savored neat or with a few drops of water to open the aromatics further; the 100-proof backbone holds up well with a single large ice cube for those who prefer a slightly cooled pour. In an Old Fashioned, the concentrated vanilla and baking-spice profile means minimal sweetener is needed, allowing the whiskey's natural depth to dominate. A Boulevardier benefits from the bourbon's oak intensity and caramel richness, which stand up to Campari's bitterness without fading. For a refined Whiskey Sour, the lengthy finish and fruit undertones complement fresh citrus while the 100-proof strength punches through dilution.

Best For

• Gifting a serious bourbon collector who values allocated, age-stated releases
• Milestone celebrations — anniversaries, retirements, or career achievements
• Side-by-side tastings with other Buffalo Trace Antique Collection releases
• Adding a cornerstone bottle to a curated whiskey library

Frequently Asked Questions

What does E.H. Taylor Antique Collection taste like? The dominant profile is rich vanilla, caramel, and seasoned oak layered with baking spices, tobacco leaf, and a subtle dried-fruit sweetness. The extended 15-year aging contributes deep wood character that remains balanced rather than tannic.

How does E.H. Taylor Antique Collection compare to Henry McKenna Bottled-in-Bond? Both are Kentucky straight bourbons bottled at 100 proof under Bottled-in-Bond standards, but Henry McKenna is a 10-year single-barrel expression from Heaven Hill using a different mashbill. The Taylor Antique Collection's additional five-plus years of aging and multi-warehouse blending create a noticeably richer, more oak-driven, and more complex profile.

Is E.H. Taylor Antique Collection good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the 100-proof strength provides structure without excessive heat, and the 15-year age statement delivers the kind of layered complexity that rewards slow, attentive sipping. A few drops of water can further unlock the aromatic depth.

Where is E.H. Taylor Antique Collection made? It is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the United States. The bourbon was drawn from barrels aged across seven of the distillery's warehouses, each contributing different micro-climate conditions to the final blend.

What foods pair well with E.H. Taylor Antique Collection? Slow-smoked brisket complements the charred oak and caramel notes; dark chocolate truffles mirror the bourbon's vanilla richness; aged Gouda or Gruyère cheese echoes its nutty, butterscotch depth; pecan pie amplifies the baking-spice character; and charcuterie with cured meats highlights the leather and tobacco undertones.

What sizes does E.H. Taylor Antique Collection come in? The Antique Collection release is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is E.H. Taylor Antique Collection worth the price? This expression positions firmly in the ultra-premium, allocated tier of American whiskey, justified by its 15-year age statement, extreme angel's share loss limiting available bottles, 97-point Ultimate Spirits Challenge score, and consistent critical acclaim that places it among the top bourbons released in any given year.

Why E.H. Taylor Antique Collection?

What separates this release from the broader E.H. Taylor line — and most bourbons on the market — is the confluence of extreme aging and meticulous barrel selection. With 62% of the original liquid lost to evaporation over more than 15 years, the surviving barrels from seven warehouses and six different floor levels were blended to achieve a concentration of flavor rarely found in Bottled-in-Bond whiskey. The 97-point score from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and F. Paul Pacult's 5-star Highest Recommendation confirm what the liquid demonstrates: this is a benchmark expression that honors Colonel Taylor's legacy while showcasing what patient, warehouse-diverse aging at Buffalo Trace can achieve.