Colonel E. H. Taylor Straight Rye (50.0%): Colonel E. H. Taylor is a fairly lesser known line-up yearly released from Buffalo Trace Distillery. They are not so quite popular like Antique Collection (at least not yet..), still reasonably priced (hope that it will stay that way...) and for me one of the best kept secrets of Kentucky. The brand is created to honor the legacy of Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor who is one of the founding fathers of the bourbon industry. It is a straight rye distilled from a very interesting just rye and malted barley mash and bottled-in-bond at 100 proof. Color: Dark deep bronze, chestnut honey. Very distinct and thick legs. Nose: Strong and bold tannin aromas. Tung oil, acetone and oil based dark varnish. After allowing it air it for some time molded blackberries and chewing tobacco aromas evolve. Leather upholstery, cooked cardamom pods and cinnamon. Thick and chewy with nutmeg and allspice. It was pretty shy in the beginning but opened up in layers and layers in time. Palate: Very peppery with strong cigar and powdered cardamom notes. Adding water works like a miracle... Like entering Istanbul spice bazaar: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, garam masala and dried pimiento peppers. Some caramel bonbons and toffee. Leather bound books, creme caramel with burnt top and pastel de nata. Finish: As soon as the alcohol burn on either side of the tongue fades out it lingers like a beautiful thick baklava syrup. Sweet and spicy. Overall: I really hope that these bottles won't go for hundreds of dollars in a few years like the Antique Collection. It is such a good, bold and thick whiskey. Love the bourbon of the same line-up as well. It is definitely not a rye you want to mix with anything. Perfect sipping dram for coming long months of winter. I have to say that I really enjoyed the 'no corn" mash. By the way I don't prefer it but I can easily say that it is one of the best whiskies I tried that can handle a couple of ice cubes very very well. Just saying...
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