Old Taylor Straight Bourbon

I genuinely wanted to appreciate this. I was prepared to rationalize its merits, perhaps even to the point of self-deception, in order to recommend this budget-friendly tribute to a revered figure in bourbon history, who also shares a name with a favorite bourbon of mine. However, I cannot. It is simply not good. The aroma presents walnuts, bananas, and yeast, with a hint of black pepper. The palate offers yeast, vanilla, leather, and a saline quality. The finish maintains the brine, and I detect subtle notes of orange. I believe this is the ideal bourbon for someone whose palate is accustomed to Jack Daniels or Jim Beam, and you're aiming to introduce them to more complex flavors. It resides in that average range, though it does hint at more intricate tastes like that orange note upon close examination. It is unashamedly young; if I were forced to choose a lesser alternative to EHT, this wouldn't even make my top three (Benchmark, Ancient Age, and standard Buffalo Trace, for reference). While one could argue it performs adequately in mixed drinks, that thought alone makes me want to remove the distinctive red branding from this bottle. It's disappointing that it falls short. I will not repurchase it. Edit: In my frustration, I combined it with regular Buffalo Trace in a 1:1 ratio to consume it more quickly. The result was delicious. There's a case to be made, particularly for those who find BT too sweet, that this mixture surpasses either spirit on its own.

I acquired this for casual mixing with family and friends during the holidays. I never formally reviewed it. It has a pale golden to dark straw color. Legs appear fairly quickly and move at a similar pace. They cling to the glass nicely. The aroma presents abundant vanilla, with a hint of sugar cookie alongside freshly cut old oak boards. Faint traces of lemon and eucalyptus are present. The mouthfeel is soft yet thin, initially exhibiting slight sweetness but well-balanced with some spice and oak. Light caramel, butterscotch, and barrel char complete the short to medium finish. I'd describe this as a generally faultless bourbon. It's not particularly remarkable, but it's certainly not off-putting!

A 1.75L bottle from VA ABC. Time to explore the lower tier of the Buffalo Trace lineup. Served neat in a Glencairn. The aroma is actually pleasant, without any of the cardboard, dry hay, or ethanol I was reluctantly expecting at this price point in a large plastic container. Mild apple peel notes, hints of baking spice, black pepper, perhaps some oak emerging. The taste is also mild, with butterscotch and pepper, more sweet than bitter, a little oily. The finish does bring some mild bitterness, but remains buttery. Decent enough, I am pleased to report. The plastic jug doesn't reflect the spirit within. 7/16/20

Don't let the low price, $18.99 for a large plastic bottle, deter you. This is a sweet, smooth sipping bourbon that doesn't require a mixer. It has a light pour, a pleasant aroma, and is easy on the palate. While I'm a big fan of Benchmark, this offers a superior drinking experience at a lower cost. Despite Benchmark's increasing scarcity, this is even harder to find than other budget offerings from Buffalo Trace.

The aroma isn't harsh and allows me to detect notes of sweet oak. It doesn't seem overly intricate. I do perceive some floral notes, though. On the palate, it's not heavy at all. Flavors of sweet oak and earth are present. It's not a particularly complex bourbon. In the finish, the oak and earth notes fade quickly from memory.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. A much smoother bourbon, with very sweet toffee notes, vanilla, and crème caramel. Delightful. It carries the same sweet notes with a touch of red fruits as well. It's similar to other bourbons but slightly more polished, with more intensity. Apologies for the basic review. 80 out of 100. Cheers!