Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Bourbon 750ML

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Bourbon 750ML is an uncut, unfiltered Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at cask strength, with proof varying by batch (typically 127–131 proof / 63.5–65.5% ABV). This expression has earned Gold medals at both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Whiskies of the World, cementing its reputation as one of Buffalo Trace Distillery's most coveted annual releases.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~63.5–65.5% (varies by batch)  |  Origin: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA  |  Kentucky Straight Bourbon  |  Distillery: Buffalo Trace

Production & Heritage

Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky — one of America's oldest continuously operating distilleries — produces the entire E.H. Taylor, Jr. line as a tribute to Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr., a 19th-century bourbon pioneer who helped shape the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. Taylor Barrel Proof is built on Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1, a low-rye recipe containing less than 10% rye, which favors sweetness and caramel richness over spice. The barrels are hand-selected and aged in Taylor's historic brick warehouses on the distillery grounds — structures over 100 years old that pioneered climate-controlled aging. The liquid is drawn directly from the barrel with no dilution and no chill filtration, preserving every ounce of flavor the wood and grain developed during maturation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A potent rush of buttered pecans and dark brown sugar opens the nose, followed by deep tobacco leaf, thick oak, and butterscotch. Secondary waves reveal licorice, tarragon, and hints of green apple that cut through the sweetness.

Taste: The entry is hot and immediate, as expected at cask strength, but quickly grounds itself in layers of sweet brown sugar, dark fruit reminiscent of blackberry pie filling, and salted caramel. The mid-palate builds with honey, tangerine zest, orange liqueur, and a buttery pie crust richness. Black pepper, clove, and heavy charred oak emerge toward the peak, adding serious structure and grip.

Finish: Long and warming, with burnt caramel, deep fig sweetness, and lingering vanilla bean that slowly gives way to dry oak tannins. The intensity tapers gradually, rewarding patience with waves of tobacco, baking spice, and dark fruit that persist for minutes.

How to Drink Taylor Barrel Proof

Neat with a few drops of water is the ideal primary serve — a splash opens the nose dramatically and tempers the heat enough to reveal the full spectrum of flavor without sacrificing the barrel-proof intensity. For those who prefer cocktails, the high proof makes this bourbon an exceptional base spirit. An Old Fashioned allows the dark fruit and brown sugar to shine without being muted by dilution. A Boulevardier pairs the bourbon's oak depth and caramel richness against bitter Campari for a bold, balanced drink. A Gold Rush (bourbon, honey syrup, lemon) leverages the natural honey and citrus notes already present in the whiskey, creating seamless harmony.

Best For

• Gifting a serious bourbon collector who values allocated Buffalo Trace releases
• Side-by-side tastings comparing barrel-proof expressions from the same mashbill
• Celebrating a milestone with a pour that demands undivided attention
• Building a barrel-proof bourbon collection anchored by a gold-medal winner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Taylor Barrel Proof taste like? The dominant profile centers on dark brown sugar, blackberry pie filling, salted caramel, and heavy oak, with supporting notes of honey, citrus, and baking spice. It delivers significant heat at cask strength but rewards with exceptional depth and sweetness.

How does Taylor Barrel Proof compare to Stagg Jr. (George T. Stagg)? Both expressions use Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1, are bottled at barrel proof without chill filtration, and occupy a similar proof range. The key distinction is that Taylor Barrel Proof is aged in the historic climate-controlled Taylor warehouses, which tends to produce a slightly sweeter, more caramel-forward character compared to the bolder spice and cherry notes often found in Stagg Jr. batches.

Is Taylor Barrel Proof good for sipping neat? Yes, though adding a few drops of water is recommended to unlock the full range of aromas and flavors while tempering the substantial heat that comes with 127–131 proof bourbon.

Where is Taylor Barrel Proof made? It is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, and aged in the historic brick warehouses built by Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. himself on the distillery grounds over a century ago.

What foods pair well with Taylor Barrel Proof? Pecan pie complements the bourbon's buttered pecan and brown sugar notes. Smoked brisket matches the oak intensity and sweetness. Dark chocolate truffles echo the deep, rich caramel and fig flavors. Aged cheddar provides a sharp contrast to the bourbon's sweetness. Blackberry cobbler reinforces the dark fruit character already present in the whiskey.

What sizes does Taylor Barrel Proof come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the primary size available for this expression.

Is Taylor Barrel Proof worth the price? Taylor Barrel Proof positions as a premium allocated bourbon, and its combination of gold-medal recognition, uncut cask-strength intensity, and limited annual availability places it among the most sought-after expressions in its tier — offering significant complexity for a bottle that still falls well below ultra-premium secondary market pricing.

Why Taylor Barrel Proof?

What separates this expression from the crowded barrel-proof bourbon field is the convergence of heritage and specificity. The liquid is aged in warehouses that Colonel Taylor himself constructed — the same brick structures that introduced controlled temperature aging to Kentucky bourbon over a century ago. The result of that environment, combined with hand-selected barrels from a storied low-rye mashbill, is a bourbon with uncommon layering: dark fruit sweetness balanced by serious oak tannin and baking spice, all delivered at full cask strength without any filtration to strip character. Gold medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Whiskies of the World confirm what the palate already knows — this is barrel-proof bourbon executed at an elite level.