Buffalo Trace Distillery announced the release of Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey, a new uncut, unfiltered rye recipe joining the Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Collection.

Aged at Buffalo Trace Distillery, this limited-edition release is bottled at 126 proof.

Highly regarded as the “Father of the Modern Bourbon Industry,” Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. purchased O.F.C. Distillery (now Buffalo Trace Distillery) in 1869. Here, the whiskey trailblazer crafted straight rye whiskey over 100 years before its resurgence in the American whiskey landscape.

He made an immediate mark on the industry by modernizing, expanding, and upgrading the plant with state-of-the-art grain equipment and a first-of-its-kind steam heating system still used in barrel warehouses in Buffalo Trace Distillery today. Taylor is celebrated for, among many things, playing an instrumental role in the passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897.

“Colonel Taylor’s impact on the bourbon industry is immeasurable and, more than 130 years after the construction of his famous and innovative Warehouse C, Buffalo Trace Distillery remains committed to producing exceptional whiskey with the finest quality ingredients,” Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery, said. “Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey is an exceptional uncut, unfiltered expression that pays homage to the E.H. Taylor’s pioneering vision.”

This expression of Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. is the ideal blend of barrel proof strength and fresh rye spice. On the nose it has an aroma of white pepper and nutty undertones, with a touch of fresh floral and candied apricot. A sip brings a range of complex flavors, balancing the sweet, dried stone fruit with pepper and oaky dryness. The lasting finish is full and sweet as honey, concluding an exceptional experience. 

“Spirits enthusiasts know that there is no experience quite like tasting a whiskey in its truest, untouched form – straight from the barrel,” Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley said. “Barrel Proof Rye takes the beloved recipe of Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye Whiskey to a new level and brings a new release that perfectly complements the E.H. Taylor, Jr. Collection.”

The Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey is the 13^th release to join the Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Collection. Others include Single Barrel Bourbon, Sour Mash Bourbon, Warehouse C Tornado Surviving Bourbon, Four Grain Bourbon, and more. Consistent with previous releases in the collection, the whiskey is stored in the well-recognized E.H. Taylor Jr. canister, which showcases a vintage label.

Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey is available now, though quantities are limited. The suggested retail price is $77.99 (750ml); state taxes and fees will vary by market.

Read more: Top 100 American Whiskeys of 2023 — RANKED

About Buffalo Trace Distillery  

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and it is a National Historic Landmark, as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its history includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site.

To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.