Buffalo Trace Has a New Hype-Worthy Whiskey

The E.H. Taylor collection adds a long-awaited bottle to its lineup.

Published June 30, 2024

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These days, there is no more powerful name in American whiskey than Buffalo Trace. The Frankfort-based distillery not only produces its namesake bourbon but also many of the most hyped and coveted whiskey brands on the market.

We’re talking Pappy Van Winkle, Weller, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s, George T. Stagg, Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. and more. All of these whiskeys are made in the same place, and the American whiskey landscape would look very different without them.

Whenever Buffalo Trace releases a new whiskey, it’s newsworthy — especially if it has one of the aforementioned labels on its bottle. And that’s exactly the kind of release we have this week, as Buffalo Trace has just launched its next hype-worthy whiskey.

Uncut & Unfiltered

The new whiskey belongs to the E.H. Taylor, Jr. family, and it’s the next logical step for the collection. Prior to this new release, there were 12 E.H. Taylor bottles. The new whiskey makes lucky number 13.

eh taylor whiskey bottles on a table — E.H. Taylor is one of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s most lauded brands.

Of those prior 12, there already existed a Barrel Proof Bourbon and a Straight Rye. Now, Buffalo Trace has essentially combined those two whiskeys to create the long-awaited Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye.

Made from the same mashbill as E.H. Taylor Straight Rye, the new whiskey is uncut and unfiltered, just like E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Bourbon. The resultant rye whiskey is bottled straight from the barrel at a hefty cask strength of 126 proof (63% ABV).

I’ve not yet tasted the new Taylor, but the tasting notes from Buffalo Trace certainly sound like a winner. According to them, the rye whiskey has a nose of white pepper and candied apricot with additional nutty and floral notes, a palate that tastes like sweet stone fruit with pepper and dry oak, and a finish that’s full, long-lasting, and honey-sweet.

bottle of eh taylor whiskey in a rickhouse — The new Barrel Proof Rye puts an uncut and unfiltered twist on E.H. Taylor’s Straight Rye recipe.

Pricing and Availability

Buffalo Trace has priced Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye at $78 for a 750mL bottle. At first blush, that sounds pretty reasonable … until you remember that Buffalo Trace SRPs are mere formalities.

In reality, this bottle will likely sell for multiples of its retail price, and that’s if you can even find a bottle. The new whiskey is a limited release, so it’s going to be even harder to track down than your typical E.H. Taylor bottle. It is technically available now though, so happy hunting if you’re daring enough to try and track down a bottle.