Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Straight Rye 750ML

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Straight Rye 750ML is a Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky straight rye whiskey from Buffalo Trace Distillery, bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof) in a 750ml bottle. It earned 95 points and an Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation rating at the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and took Best of Show First Place at the 2021 North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA  |  Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye  |  Distillery: Buffalo Trace

Production & Heritage

Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, has operated continuously on the same site for over two centuries, producing bourbon and rye whiskey through Prohibition and beyond. The E.H. Taylor, Jr. line honors Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr., the 19th-century distiller and political figure who championed the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 — the first consumer protection law for American whiskey. The Straight Rye expression stands apart from every other whiskey in the Buffalo Trace portfolio because its mashbill contains no corn whatsoever, instead relying on rye and malted barley only — widely estimated at roughly 65% rye and 35% malted barley. This corn-free composition is unusual among Kentucky rye whiskeys, which traditionally include at least some percentage of corn. As a Bottled-in-Bond product, it is the output of a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens rich and spicy, with cracked black pepper and fresh mint leading into deeper layers of dried fruit and earthy grain. A subtle sweetness — almost berry-like — lingers beneath the rye spice.

Taste: The entry is oily and immediate, with rye spice hitting the front of the palate as cracked black pepper and warming clove. The mid-palate develops into a complex balance of cinnamon, caramel, and dried fig, with toasted oak and a subtle herbal character holding the structure. As sweetness builds, it shifts from berry-like to an almost plum-like richness, while subdued vanilla rides alongside persistent woodiness.

Finish: The finish is long and warming, driven by cinnamon, nutmeg, and anise. White pepper spice lingers through a dry, spice-forward close that rewards patience.

How to Drink E.H. Taylor Rye

At 100 proof, this rye is well-suited to neat sipping or with a single large ice cube, which gently opens the herbal and dried fruit layers without drowning the spice. A few drops of water can soften the pepper and bring the plum-like sweetness forward.

• Sazerac: The high rye spice and anise finish mirror the cocktail's classic Peychaud's bitters and absinthe rinse, creating a seamless integration of flavors.
• Manhattan: The dried fig and cinnamon notes in the whiskey complement sweet vermouth beautifully, adding more depth than a standard rye delivers.
• Vieux Carré: The oily mouthfeel and bold proof stand up to Cognac, sweet vermouth, and Bénédictine without being overshadowed.

Best For

• Gifting a rye whiskey enthusiast who values Bottled-in-Bond authenticity
• Side-by-side tastings comparing Kentucky rye against high-rye MGP expressions
• Adding a premium rye to a home bar dedicated to classic American cocktails
• Collecting limited and allocated releases from the E.H. Taylor, Jr. line

Frequently Asked Questions

What does E.H. Taylor Rye taste like? It delivers bold rye spice — cracked black pepper, cinnamon, and clove — balanced by dried fruit sweetness that evolves from berry into plum, with toasted oak and a lingering anise finish.

How does E.H. Taylor Rye compare to Sagamore Spirit Double Oak Rye? Both are full-bodied, oak-forward ryes, but E.H. Taylor Rye is Bottled-in-Bond at 100 proof with a corn-free mashbill, giving it a drier, more grain-forward spice profile. Sagamore Double Oak uses a secondary oak finish that leans toward sweeter caramel and vanilla notes at a lower proof.

Is E.H. Taylor Rye good for sipping neat? Yes — the 100-proof Bottled-in-Bond strength carries enough complexity and oily mouthfeel to reward slow, undiluted sipping, though a few drops of water can help reveal the dried fruit layers.

Where is E.H. Taylor Rye made? It is distilled and bottled at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the United States.

What foods pair well with E.H. Taylor Rye? Smoked brisket pairs well with the pepper and oak spice. Dark chocolate complements the dried fig and cinnamon notes. Aged Gouda or Gruyère mirrors the caramel undertones. Pecan pie highlights the nutmeg and warm spice finish. Charcuterie with spiced salami echoes the rye's peppery intensity.

What sizes does E.H. Taylor Rye come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle; it is not widely available in other size formats.

Is E.H. Taylor Rye worth the price? It positions as a premium allocated rye whiskey within the broader E.H. Taylor, Jr. collection, and its corn-free mashbill, Bottled-in-Bond status, and strong competition results — including 95 points at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge — place it among the most respected Kentucky straight ryes in its tier.

Why E.H. Taylor Rye?

The defining trait of this expression is its corn-free mashbill — a rarity among Kentucky rye whiskeys and unique within the entire Buffalo Trace distillery portfolio. That composition produces a drier, more grain-forward character than most Kentucky ryes, with a spice intensity that earned it 95 points at the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Best of Show at the 2021 North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition. Bottled-in-Bond at 100 proof, it carries the full legal guarantee of age, proof, and single-distillery provenance that Colonel Taylor himself fought to establish. For rye drinkers seeking something genuinely distinct from the dominant MGP-sourced and corn-containing Kentucky ryes on the market, this remains one of the most compelling American whiskeys available.