Old Taylor Bourbon 6 Year 80 Proof Review

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Bottle Basics

Name: Old Taylor Kentucky Straight Bourbon of Topmost Class
Distillery: Old Taylor Distillery Company (per the bottle label)
Proof: 80
ABV: 40%
Mash Bill: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (likely mash bill, though not confirmed)
Age: 6 years
Size: 700ml
MSRP: $20 USD

Additional Details

Historical Note:

Situated in the heart of Woodford County, Kentucky, nestled along Glenn’s Creek and Versailles Pike, once stood the Old Taylor Distillery. This grand establishment was the brainchild of Colonel Edmund H. Taylor, who founded it back in 1887. The Old Taylor Distillery was America’s premier whiskey showplace, ingeniously intertwining the art of spirit creation with guest hospitality.

A visionary in the world of bourbon, Taylor was renowned for his innovative distilling techniques. His influence stretched far beyond his distillery, leading to significant legislation in the spirits industry – the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. This crucial law guaranteed transparency for consumers, ensuring the contents of each bottle were indeed as advertised by the distiller. Yet, despite all these advancements, the onslaught of Prohibition forced the distillery’s doors shut in 1917.

When Prohibition was overturned, National Distillers saw an opportunity and seized it, reviving the Old Taylor Distillery in 1936. Keeping its original identity, the distillery was in full swing once again until the bourbon demand dwindled in 1972. National Distillers then sold the plant to American Brands, and it was reduced to a storage facility for the James B. Beam Distillery.

Fast forward to June 24, 2009, a pivotal moment in the history of Old Taylor Bourbon unfolded when Buffalo Trace Distillery, under the umbrella of the Sazerac Company, acquired the Old Taylor Bourbon label and its barrel inventory. The transaction was carried out with Beam Global Spirits & Wine, now known as Beam Suntory, a subsidiary of the Fortune Brands holding company, also renowned for crafting Jim Beam Bourbon. This move marked a significant shift in Old Taylor’s journey, introducing a new chapter under the stewardship of Buffalo Trace Distillery.

Meanwhile, the distillery’s story didn’t end there. In 2014, Peristyle LLC, an investment group, saw potential in the derelict site. They acquired, restored, and rebranded it as the Castle & Key Distillery, breathing new life into a historic landmark of the whiskey world.

Introduction

Diving into the world of bourbon often brings unexpected surprises, and the Old Taylor 6 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is no exception. You may be familiar with the EH Taylor expressions that come in those distinctive yellow tubes from Buffalo Trace – those revered bottles that aficionados everywhere seem to covet. This Old Taylor 6 Year shares that lineage, but think of it as the “affordable cousin” in this esteemed family.

What I have in my hands is a bottle of the 6-year-aged version. From my research, it seems this particular age-stated variant is no longer being produced, yet a non-age-statement (NAS) version remains available. The precise origins of this distillate are somewhat unclear. It could be a product of Buffalo Trace or perhaps Jim Beam, but my hunch leans towards Buffalo Trace. What I can say with certainty is that this is not a distillate from the era of National Distillers, as much as one might hope. Bottles from that period do indeed exist and they’re being listed on the secondary market for quite a hefty sum. And let’s be clear, this is certainly not a relic from the prohibition era of Old Taylor either (before it came under the wing of National Distillers). Search “old taylor boubon prohibition era” on Google to see what I mean.

In any case, it’s a fascinating snapshot into the evolution of a brand and a reminder of the ever-changing landscape of bourbon production. Let’s delve into this hidden gem and see what it has to offer.

Appearance

On pouring, the bourbon demonstrates good coverage, coating the glass in a sleek, enticing layer. Yet, it has a lively quality to it, flowing smoothly and quickly down the sides of the glass, not lingering excessively. The whiskey itself is amber in color.

Nose

On the initial nosing, there’s a soft, sweet citrus and apple aroma. Following, I get marshmallow, accompanied by a sweet charred undertone. Toasted marshmallows over a campfire basically. There’s an aroma of vanilla wafer, adding a light, almost whimsical layer to the nose.

After some swirling, the whiskey begins to reveal more of its sweet, grainy character. There’s honey and sweet corn, like a warm, freshly baked cornbread straight from the oven.

Allowing the bourbon to breathe and open up a bit more reveals yet another layer of sweeter, dessert-like notes. Caramel apple, creme brulee, and candy corn. Overall, a very pleasant nose. I could smell this all day.

Palate

Upon the first sip, I immediately noticed the rather thin, almost watery mouthfeel. Yet, this didn’t take away from the array of pleasant flavors Old Taylor 6 Year had to offer. Everything on the nose transferred over to the palate.

Despite its light texture, it’s very buttery in flavor. I can’t help but think movie popcorn generously drizzled with butter. This was quickly followed with some sweet citrus and vanilla, like melted orange creamsicles.

Nearing the finish, a hint of milk chocolate made a subtle appearance. While light in texture, and not particularly complex, the palate is full of sweetness. Very corn-forward. Extremely crushable. This is one of those companion bourbons I’d have by my side, doing the simplest of activities, like washing my car on a hot summer day, and swigging it straight from the bottle.

Finish

The finish on the Old Taylor 6 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is just as one might anticipate from an 80 proof spirit — it’s short and leaves no trace of alcohol burn. There are faint notes of milk chocolate and cocoa, and some cinnamon spice.

Conclusion

Old Taylor 6 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is honestly a pleasant surprise for an 80 proof bourbon, especially considering its humble price point of $20 for an age-stated 6-year bottle.

This bourbon offers a delightful flavor profile that I enjoy for its proof and price. The near-absence of any alcohol presence makes this extremely crushable, as mentioned earlier.

In my opinion, I’d say this Old Taylor 6 Year is better than Blanton’s Takara Black even, the only other 80 proof bourbon I’ve experienced and also a Buffalo Trace product. However, this is merely my perspective based on the limited number of 80 proof bourbons I’ve tried (literally two), so I invite you to weigh my views accordingly.

If given the chance though, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another bottle of Old Taylor. However, its scarcity presents a challenge. This wasn’t a bottle I had seen previously, and the one I got was the only bottle on the shelf too. Hence, if you’re seeking a budget bourbon that’s regularly available, Old Taylor may not fit the bill. Despite this, if you do happen upon it, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try!

Additional Images

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