Description
Colonel E.H. Taylor Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey
In 1869, Taylor purchased a small distillery situated on the banks of the Kentucky River. Christened the distillery OFC (OFC was an abbreviation for Old Fire Copper) Distillery, Taylor began renovating and modernizing the plant — he purchased copper fermentation tanks, new grain grinding equipment and unique, columnar stills.
During his tenure, Taylor also implemented several innovative distilling techniques, including aging whiskey in climate-controlled rickhouses.
At the time, an overwhelming number of distilleries were still not aging their bourbon. In order to make their spirits palatable, some distillers and retailers added juices and syrups to sweeten their bourbon, while others added acid and tobacco to give their bourbon its signature amber hue.
Armed with distilling experience and a political pedigree, Taylor, together with Treasury Secretary John G. Carlisle, was instrumental in passing the Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897 (27 C.F.R. 5.21). The act required that any spirit labeled as “Bonded” or “Bottled-in-Bond” be the product of one distiller at one distillery during one distillation season.
In addition, the Act required that bonded spirits be aged in a federally bonded warehouse under U.S. government supervision for at least four years and bottled at 100 proof.
This E.H. Taylor Four Grain is made from a distinct bourbon mash of corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley. Distilled in 2005 it entered into the barrel at 104 proof. These are the four grains E.H.Taylor would have had access to in the late 1800s.
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INFORMATION
| PROOF | 100 (50% ABV) |
|---|---|
| DISTILLER/BOTTLER NAME | Buffalo Trace Distillery |
| SIZE | 750mL |
Discover Colonel E.H. Taylor Four Grain Bourbon, a rare Buffalo Trace release made from an unusual combination of corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley. This limited-edition bourbon was aged for 12 years and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) under Bottled-in-Bond standards. Sweet caramel and vanilla meet clove, black pepper, subtle smoke, and oak for an exceptionally balanced profile. Its scarcity, distinctive four-grain recipe, and celebrated E.H. Taylor heritage make it particularly desirable among serious bourbon enthusiasts and collectors.
A Distinctive Four-Grain Kentucky Bourbon
The defining characteristic of E.H. Taylor Four Grain is its mash recipe. Buffalo Trace created the bourbon using corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley, bringing both rye and wheat into the same bourbon recipe rather than building the whiskey around only one of those secondary grains.
Buffalo Trace explained that these four grains were selected because they would have been available to Colonel E.H. Taylor during his work in the whiskey industry in the late 1800s. The experimental recipe was intended to combine desirable characteristics from the distillery’s rye and wheated bourbon styles.
The whiskey was distilled in 2005, entered the barrel at 104 proof, matured for 12 years, and released in 2017 as a limited-edition small-batch bourbon.
Caramel, Vanilla, Spice and Oak
Colonel E.H. Taylor Four Grain Bourbon offers a flavor profile shaped by the interaction of its four grains and maturation in charred oak.
Buffalo Trace describes prominent caramel and sweet vanilla alongside caramel corn. These sweeter characteristics are complemented by slightly smoky flavors and mature oak tannins.
The four-grain recipe introduces additional complexity, with clove and black pepper providing spice against the sweeter caramel and vanilla foundation. Rather than allowing one grain characteristic to dominate, the whiskey maintains balance among sweetness, spice, grain, and oak.
At 100 proof (50% ABV), the bourbon has substantial concentration while remaining structured enough to showcase the individual flavors. Buffalo Trace recommends serving the Four Grain expression neat.
A Rare Release With Award-Winning Heritage
The Four Grain expression belongs to the E.H. Taylor, Jr. Collection, which honors Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr., one of the influential figures in American bourbon history.
Taylor established the O.F.C. Distillery—now Buffalo Trace—and championed the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 while introducing innovations such as copper fermentation equipment and climate-controlled aging warehouses.
The limited nature of the Four Grain release has added significantly to its collector appeal. Its reputation was further elevated when it was named 2018 World Whiskey of the Year by whiskey writer Jim Murray.
For collectors searching for Colonel E.H. Taylor Four Grain Bourbon, the combination of a 12-year age statement, four-grain mash, Bottled-in-Bond designation, limited production, and E.H. Taylor heritage makes this an especially notable Buffalo Trace release.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Colonel E.H. Taylor Four Grain Bourbon |
| Type | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Collection | E.H. Taylor, Jr. |
| Distillery | Buffalo Trace Distillery |
| Origin | Kentucky, USA |
| Age | 12 Years |
| Proof | 100 Proof |
| ABV | 50% |
| Mash | Four Grain |
| Grains | Corn, Rye, Wheat & Malted Barley |
| Designation | Bottled-in-Bond |
| Distilled | 2005 |
| Original Release | 2017 |
| Release Type | Limited Edition |
| Key Flavors | Caramel, Vanilla, Clove, Black Pepper, Smoke & Oak |
| Recommended Serving | Neat |
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Learn More
Discover the official history, tasting profile, and craftsmanship behind E.H. Taylor Four Grain from Buffalo Trace Distillery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Colonel E.H. Taylor Four Grain Bourbon?
It is a limited-edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey produced by Buffalo Trace using corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley.
How old is E.H. Taylor Four Grain Bourbon?
The original Four Grain release was aged for 12 years. It was distilled in 2005 and released in 2017.
What proof is E.H. Taylor Four Grain?
It is bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV).
What does E.H. Taylor Four Grain taste like?
Expect caramel, vanilla, caramel corn, clove, black pepper, subtle smoke, and oak, creating a balance between sweetness and spice.
Is Colonel E.H. Taylor Four Grain rare?
Yes. The Four Grain was released as a limited-edition bourbon, making bottles particularly sought after among collectors and E.H. Taylor enthusiasts.
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