E.H. Taylor

In 1870, Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. purchased a small distillery on the banks of the Kentucky River and named it O.F.C. He embarked on a massive renovation of the distillery, investing a small fortune to enhance production methods and beautify the grounds. Taylor also introduced many innovative techniques and elevated the quality of his whiskeys above all others at that time. This bourbon embraces Taylor’s spirit of innovation. It was aged inside new oak barrels crafted from staves treated with an innovative process of bathing and natural outdoor seasoning. This technique pulled rich flavors from the wood, to make the whiskey aged inside the barrels like no other. Using a unique wheat recipe mash bill, the result is a whiskey with bright, citrus flavors followed by spicy undertones. Savor every sip of this truly unique bourbon whiskey.

During the 1800s, Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. established a reputation for making whiskey that consistently exceeded industry standards. From quality grains, to the best barrels for aging, Taylor exuded a passion for producing the finest whiskey in the world. E.H. Taylor Cured Oak Bourbon is aged inside oak barrels made with staves cured for 13 months, more than twice as long as typical barrel staves. This extended curing process extracts the rich characters deep within the wood. Barrels were aged inside of Warehouse C, built by Colonel Taylor in 1881 as a prime aging warehouse. As a special limited edition release, it is a bourbon of great character, in honor of the man who would accept no less.

On Sunday evening, April 2, 2006, a severe storm with tornado strength winds tore through Central Kentucky, damaging two Buffalo Trace Distillery aging warehouses. One of the damaged warehouses was Warehouse C, a treasured warehouse on property, built by Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. in 1881. It sustained significant damage to its roof and north brick wall, exposing a group of aging bourbon barrels to the elements. That summer, the exposed barrels waited patiently while the roof and walls were repaired, meanwhile being exposed to the Central Kentucky climate. When these barrels were tasted years later, it was discovered that the sun, wind, and elements they had experienced created a bourbon rich in flavors that was unmatched. This was truly a special batch of barrels, and though the Distillery does not hope for another tornado, it feels lucky to have been able to release this once in a lifetime product.

A few years ago at a gathering of Distillery retirees, a method was recounted for making “Old Fashioned Sour Mash” whiskey. Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. was known to use this technique in the late 1800s. Taylor’s technique involved allowing the mash to sour naturally for days before distillation. Distilled in 2002, this bourbon is a modern replication of this old-fashioned method. Using Taylor’s original souring process, the result is a bourbon of character and body like none other today.