Let’s just get this out of the way. E.H. Taylor Single Barrel is a Buffalo Trace product. That means two things. One, the juice is going to be good. Two, good luck finding it at MSRP. That’s just the reality we live in.

But let’s talk about what’s in the glass.

This is a 100 proof bottled in bond release. No age statement, but BiB rules mean it’s at least four years old. The mashbill is Buffalo Trace’s Mashbill 1, believed to be less than 10 percent rye. Low rye, high corn, and it shows. No smoke anywhere in this pour, which is right in line with what you’d expect from this side of the BT lineup.

On the nose you’re getting something a little unexpected right out of the gate. There’s a grape note that reminds me of that cheap white wine you crack open on New Year’s Eve. It’s not a bad thing. It’s actually kind of charming. Behind that you’ve got caramel, brown sugar, a very light honey note, and something almost like dried apple. The VOCC is all there. Vanilla, oak, cherry, caramel. Chocolatey too. Like someone melted a Rolo and let it breathe for a minute.

The palate is where this thing earns its reputation. Lots of light vanilla and brown sugar upfront, and that honey note you caught on the nose follows you all the way through. It’s the through note of the whole pour. Vanilla extract, baking spice, and that Rolo situation just kind of parks itself on your tongue and stays there. It’s not a complicated sip but it’s a really refined one. Clean, layered, and easy to drink at proof.

The finish is more of the same in the best way. Vanilla extract and baking spice linger. Nothing aggressive, nothing off-putting. Just a long, warm, pleasant finish that kind of makes you want to pour another one immediately.

Now let’s talk price because this is where it gets real.

MSRP in Colorado is sitting around $74.99 right now. I will say this. Liquor City had it on the shelf at that price for a few days after a recent drop. Is it still there? Almost certainly not, so don’t go driving over there based on this post. But the point is it’s showing up, and that’s actually encouraging. According to Bourboneur, the national market as of March 2026 has these going for $124 to $125 on the standard release and $162 to $170 for store picks. My personal ceiling right now is $110 to $120 after tax. Above that and I’m starting to do the math in my head and that’s never a good sign.

Here’s the thing though. This bottle is becoming more visible. People are finding it more often on social, more drops getting posted, more shelf pulls getting reported. Whether that trend continues is anyone’s guess but it does feel like the grip is loosening a little compared to where it was a couple years ago.

Is it worth the hunt? Yes. But that’s subjective and I’ll own that. If you’re not a Buffalo Trace Mashbill 1 person or you don’t care about the BiB designation, you might look at those secondary prices and walk. That’s fair. But if you appreciate a well-built 100 proof bourbon that punches way above its weight in the flavor department, this one is worth tracking down. Under $100 it’s a complete no-brainer. Between $100 and $120 it’s still a solid yes. After that you’re paying for the hunt more than the bottle.

A pour will run you $20 to $30 at most spots if you want to try before you commit. Do that first if you’re on the fence.