Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Cured Oak Bourbon 750ML

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Cured Oak Bourbon is a limited-release, Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 50% ABV in a 750ml bottle. What distinguishes this expression from the rest of the E.H. Taylor line is the extended curing of the white oak barrel staves — air-dried for a full 13 months rather than the distillery's standard six — producing a bourbon shaped profoundly by its wood. It earned a Silver medal at the World Whiskies Awards and drew praise from Whisky Advocate, which called it "one of the better Taylors."

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA  |  Limited Release, Bottled in Bond  |  Distillery: Buffalo Trace

Production & Heritage

Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, has operated continuously on its site since 1775 and has accumulated over 1,000 awards across its portfolio. Cured Oak uses Buffalo Trace's Mash Bill #1, a low-rye corn-forward recipe also shared by Eagle Rare. The barrels were aged inside Warehouse C, a limestone aging facility built by Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. himself in 1885. The defining production step is the extended air-drying of the barrel staves: at 13 months of open-air curing versus the typical six, the wood undergoes greater tannin breakdown and terpene development before the white dog ever touches it. This longer seasoning means the oak contributes more nuanced, layered flavors without the harshness that under-cured wood can produce. The original 2015 release carried a 17-year age statement; subsequent releases may vary in age, though all are Bottled in Bond under the strict federal standard of at least four years of aging in a federally bonded warehouse during a single distilling season.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe apricots and honey open the nose, followed by lemon oil and a warm cedar sweetness. There is a subtle orange blossom floral quality beneath the stone fruit, signaling the influence of the long-cured oak.

Taste: The entry is rich with toffee, dates, and nougat that coat the palate immediately. At mid-palate, cinnamon and vanilla spice build alongside bright fruit — cherry and fig emerge — while toasty cedar, sesame, and leather introduce complexity. Cocoa and cola notes surface on the back palate, revealing the depth of the extended wood interaction.

Finish: Long, dry, and warming with lingering tobacco and dry oak. The spice recedes slowly, leaving behind vanilla and a faint sweetness that keeps the finish balanced rather than tannic.

How to Drink Cured Oak

Neat is the definitive serve. A few drops of water open up the stone fruit and floral notes without diluting the proof below its Bottled-in-Bond strength. An Old Fashioned built with Cured Oak highlights the toffee and cinnamon character without needing much added sweetness. A Manhattan pairs the bourbon's dark fruit and cedar notes with sweet vermouth for a layered, autumnal cocktail. A Boulevardier works well here because the tobacco and cocoa undertones stand up to Campari's bitterness without losing definition.

Best For

• Gifting a serious bourbon collector who values limited-release bottlings
• Celebratory pours marking milestones or special achievements
• Side-by-side tastings comparing Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 expressions
• Adding a rare anchor bottle to a curated home whiskey library

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cured Oak taste like? Cured Oak delivers rich toffee, dates, and nougat sweetened by stone fruit, with cinnamon and vanilla spice leading into a long, dry finish marked by tobacco and cedar. The extended curing of the barrel staves gives it a layered wood influence that adds cocoa, cola, and leather without excessive tannin.

How does Cured Oak compare to Eagle Rare 17-Year? Both use Buffalo Trace's Mash Bill #1, the distillery's low-rye recipe, and both are aged for extended periods, but their barrel treatments diverge significantly. Eagle Rare 17 relies on standard-cured barrels and extreme age for its profile, while Cured Oak draws its complexity from staves air-dried for 13 months, producing a spicier, more wood-forward character at a comparatively different age statement.

Is Cured Oak good for sipping neat? Absolutely — at 100 proof it has enough structure and complexity to reward slow, undiluted sipping. A few drops of water can further open up the apricot and floral aromas without diminishing the bourbon's richness.

Where is Cured Oak made? It is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, and aged in Warehouse C, a limestone aging facility originally constructed by Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. in 1885.

What foods pair well with Cured Oak? Smoked brisket complements the bourbon's tobacco and leather notes. Dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa and toffee on the palate. Aged cheddar or Gruyère works with the cedar spice and vanilla. Pecan pie mirrors the nougat sweetness, and dried figs or dates reinforce the dark fruit character already present in the bourbon.

What sizes does Cured Oak come in? Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Cured Oak is released in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Cured Oak worth the price? This expression positions firmly in the ultra-premium, limited-release tier of American bourbon. Its extended barrel curing process, Bottled-in-Bond designation, aging in a historic warehouse, and scarce availability place it among the most sought-after releases in the E.H. Taylor line, and secondary-market demand reflects that collectibility.

Why Cured Oak?

The 13-month air-drying of the barrel staves is a production step that no other expression in the E.H. Taylor portfolio — or most of the broader bourbon market — replicates at this level. That single variable fundamentally reshapes the bourbon's relationship with its wood, yielding a more nuanced oak influence than longer aging alone typically provides. Recognition from the World Whiskies Awards and Whisky Advocate confirms that the process translates into the glass. For collectors and enthusiasts who want to understand how barrel preparation — not just barrel time — defines bourbon character, Cured Oak remains one of the most instructive and rewarding bottles in American whiskey.