E H Taylor 18years Marriage

Introduction & Overview

The E.H. Taylor, Jr. 18 Year Marriage is a special, limited‐edition release from Buffalo Trace Distillery, honoring Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr. This expression is notable because it blends (or “marries”) three distinct mash bills and ages them for 18 years before bottling under the Bottled‑in‑Bond standard. bourbonlens.com+3bourbonhunters.com+3breakingbourbon.com+3

Released in June 2020, this bourbon was packaged with vintage styling and a canister, echoing Taylor’s early 20th‑century whiskey packaging. bourbonhunters.com+3breakingbourbon.com+3Lane Report+3 It is considered a “one‑time only” bottling, making it highly collectible. breakingbourbon.com+2bourbonlens.com+2

Because of its age, its mash bill complexity, and its limited nature, E.H. Taylor 18 Year Marriage draws interest both from bourbon connoisseurs and collectors alike.

Key Technical / Production Details

Here are the essential facts about the 18 Year Marriage:

Because this is a mash bill blend of multiple recipes, and because it has matured for 18 years, the flavor profile is expected to reflect complex interactions of grain, oak, aging, and the “marriage” phase (i.e. blending and letting the different barrels integrate together).

Tasting Profile & Impressions

While independent tasting reviews are more limited (given scarcity), both the distillery’s notes and community impressions provide some sense of what to expect.

Distillery / Official Notes

Buffalo Trace describes the tasting experience as:

• Nose / Aroma: Vanilla butter cake bourbonlens.com+3breakingbourbon.com+3bourbonhunters.com+3

• Palate / Taste: Caramel and cinnamon bourbonlens.com+3breakingbourbon.com+3bourbonhunters.com+3

• Finish: Toasted oak, cinnamon, and a hint of spearmint Distiller – The Liquor Expert+3breakingbourbon.com+3bourbonhunters.com+3

These notes suggest a bourbon that is sweet, spicy, and with some oak depth, plus a delicate minty lift in the finish.

Community & Reviewer Impressions

Because the bourbon is rare, many reviews come from enthusiasts who have tasted it at events or as a purchased bottle. Some key impressions:

• From a Reddit review:

  “The nose is thinner than expected … bananas, oak, crème brûlée, brown sugar butter”
  On the palate: “Apricot, pear, cherry lead the way … sweet oak … the finish short‑lived … oak lingers.” Reddit

• Another discussion notes:

  “Mash and Drum … said it was great, but not worth $2‑3k. I think it was okay, not worth more than $100. Finish and depth weren’t there.” Reddit

• Some are more generous:

  “Loved the 18 year… in that flight it easily won.” Reddit

• Others caution:

  “Dryness from the oak is slightly off‑putting … good but not more than $50 bottle good.” Reddit

Overall, the community sense is that the 18 Year Marriage is interesting, has moments of excellence, but may not always live up to extreme hype, especially if priced steeply.

“People Also Ask” — Common Questions & Answers

Here are plausible “People Also Ask” questions about E.H. Taylor 18 Year Marriage, with researched answers.

1. What is E.H. Taylor 18 Year Marriage bourbon?

It is a limited release from Buffalo Trace, bottled in 2020, that marries three mash bills (two rye, one wheated), and ages them for 18 years before blending and bottling under the Bottled‑in‑Bond standard at 100 proof. Distiller – The Liquor Expert+4breakingbourbon.com+4bourbonlens.com+4

2. What proof is E.H. Taylor 18 Year Marriage?

It is 100 proof (50.0 % ABV) in accordance with Bottled‑in‑Bond labeling. bourbonhunters.com+4Distiller – The Liquor Expert+4breakingbourbon.com+4

3. What mash bills are used in E.H. Taylor 18 Year Marriage?

The blend (marriage) uses three mash bills: two distinct rye bourbon mash bills and one wheated bourbon mash bill. bourbonlens.com+4bourbonhunters.com+4breakingbourbon.com+4

4. Is E.H. Taylor 18 Year Marriage still in production?

No — it is a one‑time limited release, not part of the regular E.H. Taylor line. bourbonhunters.com+3breakingbourbon.com+3Lane Report+3

5. What does “marriage” mean in this context?

In whiskey terms, “marriage” refers to blending multiple barrels (or mash bills) and allowing them to integrate (harmonize) before bottling. In this case, the marriage is among barrels from three mash bill types after 18 years of aging. Distiller – The Liquor Expert+4breakingbourbon.com+4bourbonlens.com+4

6. How does E.H. Taylor 18 Year Marriage taste?

According to the distillery: vanilla butter cake on the nose, caramel and cinnamon on the palate, toasted oak, cinnamon, and spearmint on the finish. Distiller – The Liquor Expert+4breakingbourbon.com+4bourbonhunters.com+4

Reviewer accounts echo variations of these, but also note fruit (e.g. apricot, cherry, pear), oak dryness, and a finish that some say lacks the depth expected for the age. Reddit+3Reddit+3Reddit+3

7. Is E.H. Taylor 18 Year Marriage worth the hype / price?

That depends on the price you pay and your expectations. Some thoughts:

• Pro side: rare, mature age, interesting mash bill complexity, good for collectors or special occasions

• Caution side: many reviewers believe that at inflated secondary prices, the bourbon doesn’t always deliver proportional value. Some critique that the finish or depth are not as robust as expected. Reddit+4Reddit+4Reddit+4

In short: if you can get it near retail (or event pricing) and for the experience, it may be worthwhile. Paying heavy multiples of retail is more of a gamble.

Strengths & Risks / What Makes It Interesting & What to Watch For

Strengths & Unique Qualities

1. Age & maturity — 18 years is a long maturation time in the bourbon world, offering potential for deep oak and complexity.

2. Mash bill experimentation — combining multiple mash bills (wheated + rye) adds a layer of complexity and novelty that most bourbons don’t try.

3. Bottled-in-Bond integrity — the BiB designation provides confidence in adherence to certain standards and authenticity.

4. Collectibility & presentation — being a one‑time release, vintage-style design, canister, and limited availability make it a sought-after item.

5. Potential flavor layering — the marriage of mash bills plus long barrel aging allows interplay between grain, oak, spice, and fruit notes.

Risks, Weaknesses & Possible Drawbacks

1. Oak Dominance / Dryness — after 18 years, oak can dominate. Some reviewers felt dryness or harsh oak influence. Reddit+2Reddit+2

2. Finish / Depth may not match expectations — some tasters say while front and mid-palate are pleasant, the finish lacks lingering complexity for the price. Reddit+2Reddit+2

3. Price inflation & speculation — because it’s limited, secondary market prices can be extremely high, which many reviewers say outpaces what the liquid merits. Reddit+3Reddit+3Reddit+3

4. Bottle variation / expectations vs reality — with such hype, expectations are high and not every bottle may deliver equally.

5. Scarcity & accessibility — very few bottles were released; many enthusiasts never even see it. Reddit+5breakingbourbon.com+5Lane Report+5

Conclusion

E.H. Taylor, Jr. 18 Year Marriage stands as one of the more ambitious and intriguing limited releases in the Taylor line. Its long aging, mash bill marriage, and Bottled‑in‑Bond certification give it strong pedigree and collector appeal. The distillery’s official tasting notes promise sweetness, spice, oak, and a touch of mint — an evocative combination.

In practice, many tasters find it pleasant and rewarding, though not flawless. Some feel the oak or dryness intrude, or that the finish lacks the brilliance expected of an 18‑year bourbon. As with many “unicorn” whiskeys, much of the value comes from the rarity and the story behind the bottle. Reviewers often caution that when paid near retail, it’s an exciting pour; when bought at stratospheric secondary prices, it may not deliver proportional rewards.

If you’re a bourbon collector or enjoy tasting rare, high‑maturity expressions, obtaining a bottle (or a pour) of the 18 Year Marriage is a meaningful experience. But it’s wise to manage expectations and not chase unrealistic hype.