E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Bourbon (Batch 12)

I finally got around to trying this potent bottle. My spouse surprised me with it for Christmas in 2023. I'm about halfway through it now. My initial impression was the spicy heat that was immediately noticeable. This makes sense given the 131.1 proof. Once I adjusted, I could appreciate the complexity this unfiltered spirit offered. The aroma offered a pleasing combination of warm vanilla, caramel, and a subtle earthy note. The taste had a good amount of oak and leather at the start, which gradually shifted to delicate hints of chocolate and cinnamon candy on the finish. It was also somewhat herbal at times. This was quite good, but I'm not sure it justified a $300 price tag. It's definitely worth a sample if you come across it, but I'd be reluctant to pay over $150 for it. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience.

SMELL - Honey, subtle nuts, mild wood, and faint caramel. A very understated aroma. The honey is profoundly present, requiring a bit of exploration to find, but it's rewarding once discovered. Post-aeration, it evokes the scent of a chocolate caramel candy bar. Exceptionally sweet and sugary. TASTE - Mild cinnamon, vanilla, and a less refined caramel, not as sugary. Increased cinnamon upon resting, accompanied by some oak and leather notes. AFTERTASTE - Echoes of the taste.

Not overpowering, very intricate, but the competing tastes require some effort to distinguish. The banana flavor is too pronounced and becomes unpleasant as the whisky sits, though the prune (which could be mistaken for earthy) and coffee notes are nice. Significantly better than Stagg (Jr.). Likely has some resemblance to Blanton's Gold (though not much).

Aroma: caramel, a bit of red fruit. Body: medium. Taste: deep caramel. Finish: medium. Note: a pleasant, smoky finish. This is a great drink. I believe I prefer the 2023 Four Roses LE, but this is close. It's less intricate but truly rich. A caramel bomb.

So pleasant and flavorful. For a high proof, this is remarkably smooth!

Yes. That good.