If you’ve spent any time browsing allocated bourbon shelves, you’ve likely paused in front of a bottle with an old-fashioned label and a name that pops up again and again in bourbon history: Colonel E.H. Taylor. 

E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon is one of the most popular in the line-up, and is often the first choice of collectors and casual drinkers alike, and for good reason. It is one of the few remaining single barrel releases in the Buffalo Trace portfolio that is widely distributed. It is a great everyday sipper and a bottle worth seeking out.

In this guide, we’ll break down what makes this bourbon tick, from the history behind the name to proof and mash bill, to what it tastes like and how it stacks up to the rest of the Colonel E.H. Taylor bourbon collection.

Who Was Colonel E.H. Taylor?

Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr. was more than a name on a bottle of booze. He was a banker, a politician and one of the most outspoken supporters of whiskey quality in the late 19th Century.

His push helped lead to the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, a law that still affects how bourbon is made and labeled today. Buffalo Trace has honored that legacy by naming this line after him, and each release in the collection pays homage to his original standards in one way or another.

What Makes This Bourbon a “Single Barrel”

Most bourbons on the shelf are batched, which means that dozens or even hundreds of barrels are blended together to smooth out flavor and keep things consistent bottle to bottle.

That’s where single barrel bourbon skips. Each bottle comes from an individually selected cask, so no two casks (and technically no two bottles from different casks) will taste exactly alike.

For E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon, barrels are handpicked from Warehouse C, a rickhouse that Colonel Taylor built himself in the 1880s.

For a long time it has been viewed as one of the better aging warehouses on the Buffalo Trace property and for this release, Buffalo Trace has continued to use it specifically because of the character that it pulls out of the whiskey as it ages.

Proof, ABV, and Mash Bill

And this is where the “heritage proof” part of the name comes into play. This bourbon is Bottled-in-Bond, meaning it must follow a strict, federally regulated process of being distilled in one season by one distiller at one distillery, aged at least four years in a bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof.

So to answer the most common question people are searching for, the EH Taylor Single Barrel ABV is 50% ABV or 100 proof. It’s definitely hotter than a lot of entry level bourbons but not so hot that it masks the flavor. 

It’s crafted from Buffalo Trace’s classic low-rye mash bill, the same base as several of the distillery’s flagship bourbons, providing that classic caramel-and-oak backbone even before the barrel character makes an appearance.

If you’re wondering how it stacks up against the rest of the lineup, EH Taylor barrel proof releases run a lot hotter, often over 125 proof, as those are bottled straight from the barrel without dilution. Single Barrel is in way more of an accessible middle ground.

E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon Tasting Notes

This is where the bottle earns its reputation. Expect:

• Nose: Toasted oak on the front end then dried figs, butterscotch and a touch of vanilla. Some bottles have a more fruity profile, such as orange peel or ripe berry notes, a reminder that single barrel releases can vary slightly barrel to barrel.
• Palate: Full-bodied and slightly spicy, with notes of brown sugar, raisins, light rye spice and leather over the oak. A sweeter and rounder 100-proof bourbon than you’d expect.
• Finish: Medium length, warm but not harsh, with tobacco and a lasting note of dark spice.

It’s a bourbon that really benefits from a slow pour and a little patience, the flavors just keep opening up the longer it’s in the glass.

E.H. Taylor Single Barrel vs Small Batch

It’s one of the most popular comparisons bourbon fans make, and for good reason. They are similar in price and both use the same Bottled-in-Bond standard. 

When comparing EH Taylor single barrel vs small batch, the small batch is a blend of several barrels, making it smoother, more consistent, and easier to find. Single Barrel, on the other hand, has more depth and a more assertive personality, but this also results in greater variation between bottles.

If you’re new to the Colonel E.H. Taylor bourbon line, Small Batch is a good place to start. If you know you like bold, oaky bourbons and want something with a little more character, Single Barrel is your best bet.

This is considered by many fans to be the best EH Taylor bourbon for everyday-drinking, sitting right between the easy-drinking Small Batch and the intense Barrel Proof.

Price and Availability

Retail prices have climbed a bit over the last few years, as is normal for anything from the Buffalo Trace portfolio. The E H Taylor single barrel MSRP has generally settled between $60-$80, but the actual shelf prices vary a lot depending on your state and store allocation.

It’s allocated like most of this line, rather than sitting on shelves year-round, so prices above MSRP aren’t unusual once a bottle leaves the distributor. 

When you look at the E H Taylor bourbon price on the full range, Single Barrel tends to come in higher than Small Batch but well below limited releases like the 18 Year Marriage or Four Grain expressions.

If you want to skip the hunt, you can find current stock and pricing on the E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon product page at A-Liquor. It’s worth checking the full EH Taylor collection too, since Small Batch and Barrel Proof are both listed there for easy side-by-side comparison.

Is It Worth Buying?

Based on how consistently well this bottle scores in EH Taylor single barrel review roundups across the bourbon community, the answer is yes, assuming you can find it near retail. 

It’s not flashy or over-the-top like some limited releases, but it doesn’t have to be. It pours a well-balanced, full-flavored pour that lives up to Buffalo Trace’s namesake standards, bottle after bottle.

Final Thoughts

E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon earns its way into the Colonel E.H. Taylor bourbon lineup by executing the fundamentals very well, a hard Bottled-in-Bond proof, barrels selected from a warehouse with a proven track record and a flavor profile that hits sweet, spicy and oaky notes in equal measure.

Whether you’re stocking a home bar or just curious about the buzz, this is one bottle from the E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Bourbon line that always lives up to the hype.

Looking to add it to your collection? Browse A-Liquor’s bourbon selection for current availability and pricing.