E.H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon

The aroma presents a spicy, oily character with hints of herbs and a touch of licorice. It also offers abundant, deep vanilla, traces of almond, and a savory note reminiscent of gochujang pork. The taste is rich and oily, featuring a sharp spiciness that remains manageable. The richness is slightly marred by excessive bitterness and oiliness, but sweet vanilla and toasted almond emerge, creating an indulgent taste. It's sweet, yet possesses a pronounced bitterness that blends licorice with gochujang pork – the aging and char are evident. While the char isn't overpowering, it's somewhat more prominent than desired, and the flavor, though well-balanced, lacks profound depth and complexity. Faint suggestions of fruit and floral notes are present, but these elements are minimal. Smoke is quite pronounced, as is oiliness and some tartness, though sweetness is significantly stronger. The intensity of the spice and the high proof progressively intensify, nearing overwhelming levels, but adding water brings it under control. The viscosity is truly remarkable. This is an excellent bourbon, despite its lack of complexity and some imperfections. It echoes a much more aged iteration of a standard bourbon. In contrast to Corsair Grainiac, the different grains do not contribute distinct complexity here. It's very enjoyable, and the bitterness and smoke eventually subside, leaving lingering pepper with a slight tartness. It's full-bodied and rich, with plenty of pleasant sweet vanilla. This bourbon is for robust individuals. The unusual gochujang flavor persists without becoming overwhelming. It's very good, comparable to Booker's and Belle Meade Cask Strength, though the peculiar flavors slightly reduce its standing. Belle Meade Cask Strength is likely a closer comparison – spicy and not quite as satisfying. Despite its quality, the cost is difficult to rationalize.

Nose: hints of caramel, marshmallow, and vibrant red berries like strawberries. The combination of rye and wheat is superb. Really fantastic aroma. The oak is not overpowering. Palate: Wonderful equilibrium. Similar to the scent. Notes of red berries, sweet corn, and oak. The finish is where the rye becomes more prominent, and the warm spices elevate this pour considerably. Conclusion: While not extremely intricate, its harmony is remarkable. The rye and wheat are perfectly matched. My only critique is a desire for a slightly richer texture, but given its 100 proof, that's understandable. Additionally, the oak presence is unexpectedly restrained for a spirit reportedly aged 12 years. 4.65

A pleasant, deep copper hue. The aroma presents vanilla, butterscotch, corn, brown sugar, and floral touches. No single element dominates; it's just a pleasing, consistent harmony. Upon tasting, a wonderfully smooth, creamy citrus burst is experienced. It's delicately sweet, with a mild warmth and a pronounced oak character at the conclusion. Abundant vanilla is present. This spirit might lead you to believe it's a premium rum if tasted without knowledge of its identity. In reality, this pour is a joy to appreciate. My only regret is its steep price and scarcity.

This Buffalo Trace Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Kentucky, crafted with corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley, spent 13 years aging before being bottled-in-bond and released in 2017. Its initial aroma is rich, featuring caramel, subtle sweet vanilla, caramel corn, smoke, and oak tannins. The palate is smooth and well-rounded, offering flavors of corn, rye, wheat, malted barley, and toasted oak. The finish is full-bodied, with notes of ripe fruit and port. October 2018 / January 2019 / July 2022

It has a gentle and flowery aroma, with notes of ripe fruit sweetness, vanilla, oak, brown sugar, and caramel. As it opens up, baking spices, led by cinnamon, emerge. The taste is spicy and fruity, featuring strawberries and cream, caramel, cinnamon, oak, a rye bite, and sweet bread. The conclusion lingers for a moderate time, with floral touches offset by rye, sweet bread, vanilla, and oak, eventually yielding to a creamy finish.

The aroma is pleasant though not intense, possibly because the bottle was nearly empty; I'm uncertain. I also tasted Buffalo Trace beforehand, which might have influenced my perception. Nevertheless, it's a decent aroma, quite like Buffalo Trace. Moving on to the palate. It possesses the smooth quality of Buffalo Trace with a subtle kick reminiscent of EH Taylor, which is appealing. It's quite delicious; the four-grain recipe is commendable. Is it worth the price? Probably not. However, at its retail price, it's definitely worth trying for a very good drinking experience!