EH Taylor Rye is a creation of the venerable distillery Buffalo Trace and as far as decently priced sipping ryes go, it’s not too shabby. I think the price is a tad high, but given the popularity and scarcity of aged rye, it’s really not too terrible. Also being a bonded product, keep in mind it will shift around a bit from one release ot the next.
In Buffalo Trace’s Words: E.H. Taylor Rye
“Straight Rye Whiskey has experienced a strong resurgence in the American whiskey landscape, yet Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. was making this style more than 100 years ago. This small batch, Bottled-in-Bond 100 proof straight rye whiskey pays tribute to the former Distillery owner with a unique rye whiskey reminiscent of days long past.”
I wish Buffalo Trace would release their mashbill on this and all of their whiskies. It tastes like it has a high amount of rye in it, but I’d love to know if it was a 60%, 70%, or 80%+ rye mash. It would be great to know what they’re doing and to compare it to the level of rye in other whiskies. Anyways, on to the EH Taylor Rye review!
EH Taylor Rye Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Buffalo Trace
Mashbill: Rye, Corn and Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: At least 4-years-old
ABV: 50% (Bonded)
Price: $75
EH Taylor Rye Review
EYE
Light caramel
NOSE
Rye spice, vanilla, caramel, oak, black tea, cinnamon, leather and a bit of pepper.
PALATE
Rye spice, vanilla, caramel, fruit, oak, black tea, cinnamon, leather, nutmeg and a bit of pepper.
FINISH
Long fade of spice, oak and caramel.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Nice sense of balance, medium body and a round soft feel.
OVERALL
EH Taylor Rye is a good sipping rye. It has plenty of spice and balancing sweetness to give it the kind of kick you look for in a rye but smoothes out into a something you want to drink over and over with the sweetness.
Being a BiB theEH Taylor Rye is going to come in around 4 years old and shift from release to release due to the Bottled In Bond rules. 4 Years creates a perfectly sippable whiskey, but I’d love to taste an older version of this that doesn’t carry the Van Winkle name on it. Something that can actually be found and maybe carries an 8-10 year age statement and a livable price. Wishful thinking I know.
SCORE: 88/100 (B+)
