The E. H. Taylor, Jr. series is one of Buffalo Trace’s hallmark lineups, and for good reason: The expressions feature a mix of reliability (Small Batch), punchy flavor (Barrel Proof), and novelty (everything from Cured Oak to Amaranth) that can captivate whiskey fans at all levels. But in the hype of limited, annual, or one-of releases in the line, it’s easy to overlook one of the true E. H. Taylor workhorse expressions: The tried and true Single Barrel.
Like E. H. Taylor Small Batch, the Single Barrel version is non-age stated and Bottled-in-Bond; they also share a mash bill, which is speculated to be Buffalo Trace’s lower-rye Mash Bill No. 1. But unlike its sister 100 proof expression, E. H. Taylor Single Barrel features significantly more variance than is found in a batched product. Though one expects the hand-picked barrels to maintain a certain quality standard, there will be enough natural variation from one bottling to the next to showcase noticeable differences. Color, aroma, taste, and finish will always be a bit different from one bottle to the next; that makes comparison the sort of fun exercise real bourbon nerds salivate over.