Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Cured Oak Bourbon 750ML

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Cured Oak Bourbon 750ML is a limited-release Kentucky straight bourbon bottled in bond at 100 proof (50% ABV) in a 750ml bottle. What sets this expression apart from the rest of the E.H. Taylor line is its namesake distinction: the barrel staves used for aging were specially cured—air-dried outdoors for an extended seasoning period—before coopering, producing a markedly different oak influence on the final spirit.

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

Production & Heritage

Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, has been producing whiskey on its site along the Kentucky River since the late 18th century and is currently owned by the Sazerac Company. The Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. collection pays tribute to Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr., the bourbon pioneer who championed the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897—legislation that established standards for authenticity and quality in American whiskey. Every expression in the Taylor line meets those bonded requirements: distilled at a single distillery during a single distilling season, aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years, and bottled at exactly 100 proof.

The Cured Oak release centers on a deliberate alteration to cooperage. Standard bourbon barrels use kiln-dried white oak staves; for this bottling, Buffalo Trace selected staves that underwent prolonged outdoor air-drying, or curing. This extended seasoning breaks down harsh tannins in the raw wood before the staves are charred and assembled, allowing the bourbon to draw a different spectrum of oak-derived flavors during maturation. The result is a limited, one-time-release bourbon distinct from both the Small Batch and Single Barrel expressions in the Taylor portfolio.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich caramel and toasted vanilla arrive first, followed by layers of dried dark fruit and baking spice. A subtle undercurrent of seasoned oak and light tobacco leaf emerges as the bourbon opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and immediately warm at 100 proof, with brown sugar and butterscotch leading the way. Mid-palate, dark cherry and dried fig mingle with cinnamon and clove, while the extended-cure oak contributes a refined, less tannic woodiness than typical high-proof bourbons. The mouthfeel carries a noticeable viscosity that coats the palate evenly.

Finish: Long and warming with lingering notes of toasted oak, black pepper, and a faint trace of dark chocolate. The tannins remain well-integrated, tapering off gradually rather than drying out the palate.

How to Drink Cured Oak

At 100 proof, Cured Oak rewards neat pours—give it five minutes in the glass after pouring to let the aromatics develop fully. A few drops of water can soften the proof and bring forward the fruit and vanilla notes. Given its rarity, most drinkers will prefer it straight, but the bourbon's robust oak profile and high proof also stand up powerfully in cocktails:

Old Fashioned: The rich, spice-forward character holds its own against bitters and sugar without disappearing behind the sweetener. Manhattan: Deep oak and dried fruit notes complement sweet vermouth beautifully, producing a structured, complex drink. Boulevardier: The bourbon's natural warmth and tannic backbone balance Campari's bitterness better than lower-proof alternatives.

Best For

• Collectors seeking rare, limited-release Buffalo Trace bottlings
• Gifting a serious bourbon enthusiast with a one-time-release expression
• Side-by-side tastings comparing Cured Oak to E.H. Taylor Small Batch or Single Barrel
• Special-occasion pours to mark milestones or celebrations

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cured Oak taste like? Colonel E.H. Taylor Cured Oak delivers a full-bodied bourbon experience dominated by caramel, dark fruit, baking spice, and refined oak, with a notably smooth tannic structure for its 100 proof strength. The extended curing of the barrel staves gives it a less sharp, more polished wood influence than many high-proof bourbons.

How does Cured Oak compare to E.H. Taylor Single Barrel? Both are bottled in bond at 100 proof, but Single Barrel is a recurring release drawing character from individual barrel variation, while Cured Oak was a one-time limited release defined by its specially air-dried cooperage. Cured Oak tends to present a softer, more integrated oak presence because the prolonged stave seasoning reduces the aggressive tannins that can dominate younger or standard-barrel bourbons.

Is Cured Oak good for sipping neat? Absolutely—the 100 proof bottled-in-bond strength provides substantial body and warmth without overwhelming heat, and the tempered tannins from the cured staves make it particularly well-suited to neat sipping.

Where is Cured Oak made? Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Cured Oak is distilled and bottled at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Buffalo Trace sits along the Kentucky River on a site that has been producing whiskey since the late 1700s.

What foods pair well with Cured Oak? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the bourbon's caramel and spice notes. Dark chocolate truffles echo the finish's cocoa undertones. Sharp aged cheddar creates a savory counterpoint to the brown sugar sweetness. Pecan pie mirrors the toasted-nut and vanilla qualities. Grilled stone fruit such as peaches bridges the dried fruit character on the mid-palate.

What sizes does Cured Oak come in? Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Cured Oak was released in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Cured Oak worth the price? Cured Oak positions firmly in the ultra-premium, collectible tier of American bourbon. As a one-time limited release from Buffalo Trace's highly allocated E.H. Taylor line, it commands prices well above the standard Small Batch and Single Barrel offerings, and its scarcity has driven secondary-market values considerably higher than original retail.

Why Cured Oak?

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Cured Oak stands apart because its entire identity hinges on a single, deliberate cooperage decision—the extended outdoor seasoning of its barrel staves—that fundamentally alters the wood's chemical interaction with the spirit. This is not merely a different age statement or mashbill variation; it is a structural change to the barrel itself. Within the E.H. Taylor collection, Cured Oak demonstrates how much influence raw wood treatment exerts on finished bourbon, making it both a distinctive drinking experience and a compelling study in the craft of cooperage. Its status as a one-time release from one of Kentucky's most historic distilleries cements its place among the most sought-after American whiskeys produced in the 21st century.