Colonel E.H. Taylor is one of the most sought-after bourbon lines in American whiskey, a Buffalo Trace Distillery release that honors Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr., the 19th-century distiller and industry reformer often credited as a founding father of the modern bourbon industry.
About Colonel E.H. Taylor
The E.H. Taylor range is produced at Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, Kentucky, using the distillery's mashbill #2 rye-recipe bourbon. The line is Bottled in Bond where applicable, meaning it is the product of one distillery, one distilling season, aged at least four years, and bottled at 100 proof under federal supervision — a standard Taylor himself helped lobby into law in 1897.
The core range includes Small Batch and Single Barrel, both presented at 100 proof in the instantly recognizable embossed bottle. Beyond those, Buffalo Trace periodically releases limited expressions including Barrel Proof, Warehouse C Tornado Surviving, Four Grain, Amaranth, Seasoned Wood and other experimental bottlings that trade on secondary markets for multiples of shelf price.
Across the range, E.H. Taylor bottles sit in the category of allocated Buffalo Trace products — the same family that includes Stagg, Weller and the Antique Collection — so availability shifts week to week and release to release.
What to expect
- Classic Buffalo Trace rye-recipe bourbon DNA: caramel, toffee, baking spice and toasted oak
- Bottled in Bond 100 proof on Small Batch and Single Barrel; higher ABV on Barrel Proof releases
- Embossed glass bottle and gold-foil tube packaging — premium gifting presentation
- Allocated distribution — Single Barrel, Barrel Proof and Warehouse releases ship in limited quantity
- Strong secondary-market demand, especially on the annual limited editions
- A Kentucky straight bourbon that drinks well neat, with a drop of water, or in a classic Old Fashioned
Buying guide
If you are new to the line, start with E.H. Taylor Small Batch — it is the most widely distributed expression and the clearest introduction to the house style. From there, Single Barrel is the natural step up, adding barrel-to-barrel variation and more depth. Collectors chase the Barrel Proof, Warehouse C and other limited releases; expect to pay a premium and expect allocation, not guaranteed stock.
Because E.H. Taylor is allocated, pricing is volume- and release-dependent. We list active inventory only — if a specific expression is not shown, it is not currently available. Check back as new drops and restocks cycle through.
Frequently asked questions
Is E.H. Taylor made by Buffalo Trace?
Yes. The entire Colonel E.H. Taylor range is distilled, aged and bottled at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.
What is the mashbill?
E.H. Taylor uses Buffalo Trace's rye-recipe bourbon mashbill (mashbill #2), the same base used for Blanton's and Elmer T. Lee.
What does Bottled in Bond mean on E.H. Taylor?
It means the whiskey is from a single distillery and single distilling season, aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof. Taylor himself championed the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897.
Why is E.H. Taylor so hard to find?
Buffalo Trace allocates E.H. Taylor to distributors in limited quantities, and demand outpaces supply — particularly for Single Barrel, Barrel Proof and the annual experimental releases.
What is the best E.H. Taylor to start with?
Small Batch is the gateway. It is the most consistent, most available and most affordable expression in the core range.
Shop the Colonel E.H. Taylor collection at Liquor Geeks — fast US shipping, eligibility confirmed at checkout.
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