E. H. Taylor Small Batch is one of those bottles that punches well above its price point, and it's a bourbon I keep coming back to. Named after Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr. — the man who literally championed the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 — this expression carries some serious pedigree. It's bottled at 50% ABV, which is the legal requirement for bonded whiskey, and that extra proof gives it a backbone that a lot of bourbons in this price range simply don't have.
What strikes me about this pour is how well-constructed it is. This is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon through and through — corn-forward, aged in new charred oak, and bottled at a proof that lets the barrel character really speak. At 50% ABV, you're getting more flavour delivery than your standard 40% expressions, but it never feels hot or aggressive. That's the mark of good distillate and careful barrel selection. The Small Batch designation means this is a blend of a select number of barrels chosen for consistency, and whoever is making those selections is doing a hell of a job.
There's no age statement on this one, which in bourbon country isn't unusual — but the fact that it carries the Bottled-in-Bond designation tells you it's been aged a minimum of four years in a federally bonded warehouse. In practice, most bonded bourbons sit considerably longer than that minimum, and you can taste it. There's a maturity here that suggests plenty of time in wood without veering into over-oaked territory.
Tasting Notes
I'd encourage you to approach this one with an open mind and let it tell its own story. At 50% ABV, give it a minute in the glass — it rewards patience. A small drop of water opens it up beautifully if you find the proof a touch warm at first, but honestly, I think it drinks remarkably well at full strength. This is classic bourbon character done right: the kind of whiskey that reminds you why Kentucky earned its reputation.
The Verdict
At around £56.75, E. H. Taylor Small Batch sits in a competitive space, but it more than holds its own. The bonded proof gives it real presence, the quality of the distillate is evident from the first sip, and it has that rare combination of being approachable enough for newcomers while offering enough depth to keep experienced bourbon drinkers interested. It's not trying to be flashy or experimental — it's just very good bourbon, executed with care. I'm giving this a 7.5 out of 10. It loses half a point for the lack of transparency on age, and it's not quite reaching into the upper tier of complexity, but as a daily-drinker bourbon with genuine quality? It's hard to beat at this price.
Best Served
This is a brilliant Old Fashioned bourbon. That 50% ABV means it stands up to dilution from the ice and sugar without losing its character — two dashes of Angostura, a barspoon of demerara syrup, and a good orange peel expressed over the top. If you're drinking it neat, a Glencairn or a rocks glass with a single large ice cube both work well. Personally, I'd say try it neat first, then build that Old Fashioned. You'll see why bonded bourbon was made for cocktails.
