E.H. Taylor, Jr. 18 Year Marriage

Well, I'm not sure what more one could desire in a bourbon for summer sipping. Deep Auburn color. It really clings to the glass. The aroma presents a lovely harmony between the spicy rye notes and the barrel influence. Chocolate, caramel, and vanilla all emerge through the nutmeg and clove. A touch of mustiness from the rye is also present. Spicy on the front, with ample heat, it quickly gives way to a flavor resembling a vanilla frosted sugar cookie. It finishes with more spice, a whisper of eucalyptus/mint, burnt caramel, and cloves. This is the most wonderfully balanced bourbon I can recall tasting. It's akin to a Thanksgiving feast with Christmas cookies served as the intermediate course. I feel fortunate and appreciative to have obtained a bottle, and I can confirm that if you are a bourbon enthusiast, do not part with it.

The nose begins subtly, with gentle notes of oak and ripe fruit. Straw, honey, and floral rye spice emerge quite rapidly. It soon softens to become surprisingly smooth. The palate is smooth with a hint of dryness while remaining chewy. Oak, floral rye, and ripe fruit are the primary flavors, with a distinct smoothness in the background. It's almost dessert-like, making it incredibly easy to sip. The finish is long and chewy, with such smoothness and a bit of spice that leaves the mouth slightly tingly. However, for its age, the flavor could be more full-bodied.

Nose - Very grapey. Lots of leather, musk, dark berries, and oak. A perfect scent, but that's all it is. Some deep, dark caramel as well. Quite rich. Palate - Lots of complexity. Oak, leather, a little bit of pepper. Little sparks of vanilla and dark dried fruits. Very balanced. Finish - This finish is strong, complex, and long. Cinnamon, smoke, and oak are the main players, and EHT is to blame... in a good way. Not harsh, perfectly balanced.

The aroma is floral, perhaps with hints of cotton candy or something similar. Not as much oak presence as anticipated in either the aroma or the taste. Just an intense burst of flavor from the initial entry to the finish. Char, rye spice, and burnt caramel. Leaves significant lacing.

I'll keep this straightforward: the nose is unlike anything I've experienced before, and the palate resembles a good EHT SiB. Is it worth secondary market prices over 4k? Absolutely not, nothing is. Is it worth trying at a bar? Definitely.

Fantastic. One of the best I’ve had. Minty, sweet, delicious, with a medium to long finish that had a little spice to it, building heat.