Buffalo Trace Distillery continues its homage to former Distillery owner Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. with a special release bourbon whiskey aged in seasoned wood oak barrels. This 100 proof, Bottled-In-Bond, small batch wheat recipe bourbon was aged well over a decade and is a special one-time-only release.
The barrels in this release underwent a variety of special seasoning processes, including barrels made from staves that were immersed in an enzyme rich bath with water heated to 100 degrees. After spending time in this proprietary solution, these staves were then placed into kilns and dried until they reached an ideal humidity level for crafting into barrels. Other staves were seasoned outdoors for six months, and still others were left outdoors for a full 12 months before being made into barrels and sent to Buffalo Trace Distillery to be filled and aged. All barrel staves were seasoned, dried, and crafted at Independent Stave Company, who consulted on this project with the premiere expert on oak maturation, Dr. James Swan.
The result of aging in these distinct barrels has delivered a wheat bourbon that is quite different from the other wheated bourbons made by Buffalo Trace. Descriptions include, “a delicate aroma of caramel and dried fruit, followed by a bright and pleasant first sip. Oak tannins are balanced by a touch of butterscotch, almond, citrus notes, and hint of spicy clove. The body is soft and balanced with an aftertaste that lingers perfectly.”
This Seasoned Wood Bourbon is the eighth and latest release in the collection of E. H. Taylor, Jr. whiskeys, rounding out the collection of Old Fashioned Sour Mash Bourbon, Single Barrel Bourbon, Warehouse C Tornado Surviving Bourbon, Barrel Proof Bourbon, Straight Rye Whiskey, Small Batch Bourbon and Cured Oak Bourbon. The Sour Mash, Warehouse C Tornado Surviving Bourbon and Cured Oak were one time only releases and are no longer available.
The Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. collection was first released in early 2011 and several subsequent releases have followed. Like some of the previous releases, this one-time-only bottling is very limited. Also consistent with past releases, the Seasoned Wood Bourbon displays a vintage label and is offered inside a distinct canister reminiscent of Taylor’s whiskey package from over one hundred years ago. These six bottle cases will again be shipped in an impressive wooden box first used for the Cured Oak release. The boxes are modeled after the wooden crates used by Taylor to transport goods during the days before Prohibition.
Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. is widely considered one of the founding fathers of the bourbon industry, fighting for the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, nearly three decades after he purchased the distillery that is known today as the Buffalo Trace Distillery. During his time, Taylor implemented several innovative methods still used today by Buffalo Trace, such as climate controlled aging warehouses. In addition to his bourbon interests, Taylor had political ties. He was the great-nephew of President Zachary Taylor and elected the mayor of Frankfort, state representative to the Kentucky General Assembly and a member of the State Senate.
This special bottling of Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Seasoned Wood Bourbon Whiskey will be available starting in late March in limited supply. The suggested retail price is $69.99 per 750ml bottle.
