E.H. Taylor, Jr. Amaranth Bourbon

“Whisk(e)y Grilling Time Review!” So I did Greek Kabobs and in that thought I was like why not open this unicorn up as well. E.H. Taylor Jr. Amaranth Grain of the Gods Amaranth grain is most likened to wheat, and was once a staple of the Aztecs, used in numerous food items. They also used the grain to form images of their gods during the sacred month of Huitzilopochitli, and then at the end of the month ate them in order to take in the gods, which explains the origins of this bourbon's name Release Date: July 2019 ABV: 50% Age: NAS (Over 10 years per the company press release) Mash-Bill: Buffalo Trace Mashbill #1 that replaces rye with amaranth as the flavoring grain - corn, amaranth, and malted barley) Price: $70 (2019) to 1200.00 secondary Nose: Cherry 🍒 bomb at first than takes a quick turn to fall baking spices, dark chocolate and seasoned oak come together in a rich, fragrance. The aroma is incredible with the first pour and seemed to even get better with time sitting. It’s intensity of this can go for days. Nevertheless the aroma remained complex, inviting, and most interesting with a unique almost like it was barrel in a wine cask just before release. Front: A light mouthfeel is noticeable, but this is countered with a first a zing of spices of flavors. The wine or sherry note is the zing, honey, toasted caramel, summer floral notes, and touch of of smoke almost scotch like characteristics. It’s a freak of nature how this kinda has a slight undertone of blended of a high proof whiskey/scotch. Back/Finish: Sweet cigar tease at first, leather Christmas spice quickly developed as well. The zing in the front becomes bitter along with a tannic note. It’s the lingering beauty feels that it moves to fast and doesn’t last too long. Buffalo Trace has many experiments in the works, and in recent years has chosen to honor E.H. Taylor by releasing limited experimental variations of the brand. Attributing this to Taylor’s persona, Buffalo Trace has stated it “honors Taylor’s enduring spirit of innovation and commitment to exceptional whiskey.” The tenth unique release in the Taylor lineup, Amaranth is the sixth special release and the second to use a unique mashbill. However, while Four Grain had four grains in the mashbill, they still remained the most commonly used grains - corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley. Amaranth is the first of its kind, with no other previous bourbon using the grain in its mashbill. This is surprising considering distilleries like Corsair have released Grainiac (9 grain mashbill) done a review one and Insane in the Grain (12 grain mashbill) whiskeys - none of which used amaranth. This is a unique dram from the gods and damn lucky to be able to get a bottle to review. “A feast is made for laughter, and whisk(e)y maketh merry!” Cheers!

Amaranth, a grain similar to wheat, was predonently used by the Aztecs in ancient times. Known as the “Grain of the Gods”, Buffalo Trace crafted a whiskey to honor both the ancient grain and Colonel E.H. Taylor. The Colonel was inspirational during his time to whiskey making and innovation. Buffalo Trace has stated this is a one time release and has all E.H. Taylor fans going crazy. The Bourbon Colonel E.H. Taylor Amaranth Grain of the Gods was a fun whiskey to try. Although I have never seen one in the wild, finding one at a whiskey bar, I had to give it a try. Colonel E.H. Taylor Amaranth Grain of the Gods, according to Buffalo Trace, is at least ten years of age and said to be from mashbill one with the rye replaced by amaranth. Said to be a one time release, this whiskey is bottled at 100 proof/50% ABV. With this all said, it was a little underwhelming and I expected more for the hype and price tags I’ve seen. Color: Deep Amber On the nose are notes of sweet cherries, brown butter, fresh red berries, honey, creamy vanilla, and charred oak. The palate is creamy and continues with notes of brown butter, sweet cherry pie, brown sugar, baking spices, oak tannins, and hints of cracked pepper. The finish is long and lingers, to what seems like forever, with more brown sugar, toasted nuts, vanilla, charred oak, and whatever sweetness is left fades.

The color is a dark, glowing amber and it leaves heavy oils all around the glass with each movement. The nose features plenty of mild baking spices along with sweet notes of creamy vanilla, caramel and brown sugar, while hints of oak mix with a more floral, mildly spearmint note. The nose carries over into the palate, with it coating the mouth in the creamy sweetness, while a chili spiciness comes in a gradual wave at the end. The finish has the mouth still feeling the spiciness while you feel touches of the sweeter notes gently fading alongside a bit of oak. The amaranth seems to add a bit of hotness to what you would normally find with E.H. Taylor, making for a minimal impact compared to other offerings in the Taylor line.

Jesus. I’m at a whiskey bar so I’m a little turnt. But... I can say with certainty this is one of the best bourbons I’ve tried. I apologize because I can’t pick out notes, but please trust me... I use the rating scale below. Distiller uses a scale of 5 and I use a scale of 10, but I’m sure you’re not too drunk to do the math! 1. Disgusting - So bad I poured it out. 2. Poor - I wouldn't consume by choice. 3. Bad - Multiple flaws. 4. Below average - Not bad, but many things I'd rather have. 5. Good - Just average. 6. Very Good - Better than average. 7. Great - Well above average. 8. Excellent - In a league of its own. 9. Incredible - An all-time favorite. 10. Perfect

Nose: Sweet cherry, spices, cloves, old leather, wood shavings. Taste: sweet, then spicy, then hot, cherries and apples, brown sugar, slight heavy cream or horchata. Experience: hard to find a clear experience for me. It's an armchair bourbon for sure but a warm and cozy armchair, with some cider and cinnamon sticks. Was hoping I wouldn't like this, as it is impossible to find and a limited release. But damn, it's good. There are far cheaper and more accessible bourbons that come pretty close, but it stands up next to The Buffalo Trace Antique collection and other great whiskies.

Nose- Caramel, pineapple, vanilla, bright orange, light oak Palate- Chewy Caramel, raspberries, spiced vanilla, tropical fruits, chocolate chip cookie dough Finish- Long, chewy finish with notes of tropical fruits, cookie dough and black pepper spice Wanted to go into this hating it, but god damn this is good. Nice tropical fruits on the nose and palate. There’s also a unique chocolate chip cookie dough taste to it on the end of the palate and finish, which I fine delicious and not something you find every day. I just wish this bottle wasn’t 750 dollars....