E.H. Taylor, Jr. Amaranth Bourbon

The reviewer opened this bottle alongside Greek kabobs. The nose explodes with cherry, then transitions to autumnal baking spices, dark chocolate, and seasoned oak, creating a rich aroma. It was incredible from the first pour and improved with time. The intense aroma remained complex, inviting, and distinctive, almost as if it had been finished in a wine cask. The mouthfeel is light but is met with an initial spicy kick. A wine or sherry note provides the zing, along with honey, toasted caramel, summer floral notes, and a whisper of smoke, giving it scotch-like qualities. It's surprisingly reminiscent of a high-proof whiskey/scotch blend. The finish begins with a hint of sweet cigar, followed by leather and Christmas spice. The initial zing turns bitter with a tannic sensation. The lingering sensation is beautiful but dissipates too quickly. This is a distinctive pour from the gods, and the reviewer feels fortunate to have had the chance to sample a bottle. The reviewer concludes with a toast, stating, “A feast is made for laughter, and whisk(e)y maketh merry!”

Amaranth, a grain historically significant to the Aztecs, was a primary ingredient in their diet. Referred to as the “Grain of the Gods,” Buffalo Trace created a whiskey to honor both this ancient grain and Colonel E.H. Taylor. The Colonel was a driving force in whiskey innovation during his era. Buffalo Trace has announced this as a limited, one-time release, generating significant excitement among all E.H. Taylor enthusiasts. The Bourbon Colonel E.H. Taylor Amaranth Grain of the Gods was an enjoyable whiskey to sample. While I haven't encountered it in the wild, I seized the opportunity to try it at a whiskey bar. According to Buffalo Trace, Colonel E.H. Taylor Amaranth Grain of the Gods is at least ten years old and is crafted from mashbill one, with amaranth replacing the rye. This whiskey, reportedly a single release, is bottled at 100 proof/50% ABV. Despite all this, it was somewhat disappointing, and I anticipated more given the buzz and the prices I've seen. Appearance: Deep Amber The nose presents notes of sweet cherries, browned butter, fresh red berries, honey, creamy vanilla, and toasted oak. The palate is smooth and echoes with notes of browned butter, sweet cherry pie, brown sugar, baking spices, oak tannins, and faint hints of cracked pepper. The finish is lengthy and persistent, seemingly unending, with more brown sugar, toasted nuts, vanilla, charred oak, and any remaining sweetness gradually fading.

The color is a deep, radiant amber, and it leaves thick oily streaks on the glass with every swirl. The nose offers plenty of gentle baking spices alongside sweet notes of creamy vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar. Hints of oak blend with a more floral, slightly spearmint aroma. The nose carries through to the palate, coating the mouth with creamy sweetness, while a chili-like spice emerges in a gradual wave at the end. The finish leaves a lingering spiciness in the mouth, with touches of the sweeter notes gently fading alongside a bit of oak. The amaranth appears to add a bit of heat compared to what's typically found in E.H. Taylor, resulting in a less pronounced effect than other expressions in the Taylor line.

Wow. I'm at a whiskey bar and a bit intoxicated, but I can confidently say this is among the best bourbons I've tasted. I apologize for not being able to identify specific notes, but please trust my assessment... I use the rating scale below. The distiller uses a 5-point scale, and I use a 10-point scale, but I'm sure you're not too drunk to figure that out! 1. Disgusting - So bad I poured it out. 2. Poor - I wouldn't drink it by choice. 3. Bad - Has multiple flaws. 4. Below average - Not bad, but there are many options I'd prefer. 5. Good - Just average. 6. Very Good - Better than average. 7. Great - Well above average. 8. Excellent - In a class of its own. 9. Incredible - An all-time favorite. 10. Perfect

Aroma: Sweet cherry, spices, cloves, old leather, wood shavings. Taste: Sweetness first, then spice, then heat, with cherries, apples, brown sugar, and a hint of heavy cream or horchata. Experience: Difficult to pin down the experience. It's an armchair bourbon, offering warmth and comfort, akin to having cider with cinnamon sticks. I was hoping not to enjoy this because it's so hard to find and a limited release. But it's excellent. While more affordable and readily available bourbons come close, it holds its own against The Buffalo Trace Antique collection and other fine whiskies.

Aroma: Caramel, pineapple, vanilla, bright orange, faint oak. Taste: Chewy caramel, raspberries, spiced vanilla, tropical fruits, chocolate chip cookie dough. Finish: A long, chewy finish with tropical fruits, cookie dough, and black pepper spice. I intended to dislike this, but wow, it's impressive. The nose and palate feature nice tropical fruit notes. A distinct chocolate chip cookie dough flavor emerges at the end of the palate and finish, which I find delicious and unusual. I only wish this bottle wasn't so expensive...