E.H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon

The nose is spicy and oily with some herbal notes and hint of licorice. The nose also has plentiful rich vanilla and hints of almond as well as something meatier like gochujang pork. The palate is rich and oily with a prickly spiciness that doesn't overwhelm. The richness has a bit too much bitterness and oiliness, but sweet vanilla and toasted almond come in, giving it a hedonistic flavor. It's sweet, but also has a strong bitterness the mixes licorice with gochujang pork a bit - the age and char definitely come through. While the char doesn't overwhelm, it is a bit more present than I'd like and the flavor despite being well rounded isn't incredibly deep and complex. It has a faint allusion to fruit and floral elements, but those characteristics are barely present. Smoke is quite strong here, as is oil and some tartness (the sweetness is much stronger though). The harshness of the spiciness and the high proof gradually builds up and borders on becoming overwhelming, but with some water it is well under control. The viscosity is really incredible. This is a terrific bourbon, though it lacks complexity and has some flaws. It tastes like a much older version of a standard bourbon. Unlike with Corsair Grainiac, the various grains don't stand out here with added complexity. It's very tasty and the bitterness and smoke eventually die down, though the pepper stays there with a bit of a tart kick. It's full and rich with a lot of nice sweet vanilla. This is a bourbon for manly men. The odd gochujang flavor continues to come through, though it never is overwhelming. It's very good and I'd put it about on par with Booker's and Belle Meade Cask Strength, though the odd flavors push it down a bit. Belle Meade Cask Strength is probably the closer comparison - spicy and not quite as good. As good as it is though, the price is really hard to justify.

Aroma- caramel, marshmallow, bright red fruit (strawberries). The rye and wheat blend really well together here. The nose is really awesome. Oak is very subtle. Taste - The balance is exceptional. Mimics the nose. Red fruits, carame corn and oak. The finish is where the rye starts to pop and the baking spices bring a truly make this offering really damn good. Overall - not overly complex but the balance makes this quite incredible. The wheat and rye balance is simply awesome. Only knock here is I wish the mouthfeel was a touch more viscous but with it at 100 proof it was somewhat to be expected. Also the oak is surprising mild here for it to be allegedly 12 years 4.65

A nice, rich copper color. Vanilla, butterscotch, corn, brown sugar and floral notes on the nose. Nothing stands out on its own, per say, just a nice even balance. A really nice, creamy citrus explosion on first taste. Delicately sweet with a nice moderate burn and an extremely oaky finish. Loads of vanilla. This one might fool you into thinking it was a high-end rum in a blind taste test. The truth is this: This pour is a pleasure to savor. I only wish it wasn’t so prohibitively expensive and hard to come by.

A creamy, Straight Bourbon Whiskey by Buffalo Trace in Kentucky made from corn, rye, wheat & malted barley, aged for 13 years & bottled in bond then unveiled in 2017. It has an aromatic birth with notes of caramel, hints of sweet vanilla, caramel corn, smoke & oak tannins; while a smooth & balanced life adds notes of corn, rye, wheat, malted barley & charred oak, that leads to a rich death with notes of fresh fruit & port. October 2018 / January 2019 / July 2022

The nose is soft and floral with ripe, fruity sweetness on top of vanilla, oak, brown sugar and caramel. Baking spices with cinnamon at the front comes out as it breathes. The palate is spicy and fruity with strawberries and cream, caramel, cinnamon, oak, rye spiciness and sweet bread. The finish is medium long with floral notes balanced by rye, sweet bread, vanilla and oak that all fades to a creamy ending.

Nose is good but not very strong could be due to how low the bottle was not sure. And had a pour of BT before this tasting could have effected it. But not a bad nose. Very similar to BT. Now on to the taste. Has the softness of BT with the small bite of EH Taylor that we love. Very tasty the 4 grain is good. Worth the dollar prolly not. If it was at retail it is 100% worth a very good taste!