E.H. Taylor Four Grain 100 Proof Bourbon

Introduction & Background

The E.H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon is one of the more experimental and limited expressions in the Colonel E.H. Taylor line from Buffalo Trace / Sazerac. It departs from the usual mash bills by combining four different grains—corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley—instead of the more common three (corn + rye + either wheat or malted barley). Distillery Trail+2Breaking Bourbon+2

It is bottled at 100 proof (50 % ABV) and carries the Bottled-in-Bond designation, meaning it meets the legal standards (single distillation season, at least 4 years in a bonded warehouse, bottled at exactly 100 proof, etc.). Whiskey Reviewer+3Breaking Bourbon+3The Whiskey Wash+3

Though it is a limited release, Buffalo Trace has made at least two notable releases (2017 inaugural, and 2018 second release) of Four Grain. Distiller – The Liquor Expert+1 The 2018 release reportedly is aged 13 years. Distiller – The Liquor Expert

In terms of the motivation, Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley explained that the goal was to “extract everything we like from both the rye and the wheat mashbills … and combine them to see how they react,” in homage to Taylor’s historical grain experimentation. Distillery Trail+2Whiskey Reviewer+2

Because of its limited nature and experimental mash bill, Four Grain draws attention from bourbon aficionados who like seeing how nontraditional mash blends perform under mature aging.

Technical & Production Details

Below is a summary of the key specifications and production facts:

Because this is a limited, experimental release, each release may differ slightly in barrel selection, maturation conditions, and flavor emphasis.

Tasting Profile & Impressions

Because of the four-grain mash and extended aging, Four Grain Bourbon offers a distinctive flavor profile. Below are compiled tasting notes from reviewers and community impressions.

Aroma / Nose

• The Bourbon Wash describes the nose as: sweet cinnamon, custard, pecan pie, with hints of charred orange, salted caramel, vanilla, nutmeg. The Whiskey Wash

• Breaking Bourbon notes a “light but controlling floral and fruity overtone” with sweet berry, bubblegum, and vanilla, and subtle rye / oak influence. Breaking Bourbon

• BourbonPaddy’s review (2017) mentions sweet caramel, a light floral vanilla, hints of oak, and that the rye is not very pronounced on the nose. Bourbon Paddy

• In the 2018 release, BourbonPaddy also picked up dark fruits, floral + spicy grain notes, and “bubblegum-like malt sweetness” in the nose. Bourbon Paddy

Overall, the nose tends toward the sweeter side (fruit, caramel, vanilla) with moderate oak or spice undertones.

Palate / Taste

• The Whiskey Wash: Opulent, sweet and spicy. The front brings oak spice, followed by vanilla ice cream, buttery pecan pie, caramel, charred barrel, with undercurrents of orange/orangey tones. The Whiskey Wash

• Breaking Bourbon: The sip is “leaning heavily sweet” (strawberry, cherry, caramel, vanilla), with a gentle progression of oak and rye spice in the finish. Breaking Bourbon

• Whiskey Reviewer: The palate opens with candy corn sweetness, vanilla bean, a little spicy oak astringency, and smoky barrel char. The reviewer felt that wheat/rye influences were subtle. Whiskey Reviewer

• BourbonPaddy (2018): The palate reportedly evolves — first corn’s creamy sweetness, then wheat / red‑fruit wheat profile, then rye spice, then malted barley sweetness. Bourbon Paddy

Thus, the flavor tends to be layered, with sweetness up front, complex grain interplay, and oak/spice interplay in the mid/back.

Finish

• In Breaking Bourbon’s review, oak and rye spice appear more in the finish, but not heavily dominant. The finish is described as gentle, not aggressive. Breaking Bourbon

• Whiskey Reviewer describes the finish as a wave of caramel, warm, with lingering tannins. Whiskey Reviewer

• BourbonPaddy (2018) notes the finish kicks in spice, then cinnamon and dry oak, ending with burnt caramel and baking spice. Bourbon Paddy

• In the second release, Buffalo Trace promotional tasting notes characterize the finish as a “slow, lightly oiled, gently spiced chocolate fade” that “goes on and on.” Distillery Trail

Overall, the finish is moderate to long, with spice, oak, residual sweetness, and a gentle taper rather than aggressive heat.

Community / User Impressions

• From Reddit (Review #20, E.H. Taylor Four Grain 2017):

  “Nose: wheat, grainy cereal … Taste: … vanilla, wheat and oak … smokey oak, malted cereal and maple syrup … Finish: … much darker, richer flavor on the finish.” Reddit

• Another user (Review #16, 2018) rated it ~7.5/10, praising the concept and nose (strawberries, cherry, honey, oak, vanilla), but questioned its secondary market value. Reddit

These impressions highlight that many find Four Grain interesting and novel, but not necessarily flawless or universally beloved.

People Also Ask — Common Questions & Answers

Here is a set of typical “People Also Ask” style questions about E.H. Taylor Four Grain 100 Proof, with researched answers.

1. What proof is E.H. Taylor Four Grain Bourbon?

It is bottled at 100 proof (50 % ABV) as a Bottled-in-Bond expression. Whiskey Reviewer+3Breaking Bourbon+3The Whiskey Wash+3

2. How old is E.H. Taylor Four Grain Bourbon?

Although it carries no age statement (NAS), Buffalo Trace has disclosed that the initial Four Grain release was aged 12 years. The Whiskey Wash+3Distillery Trail+3Whiskey Reviewer+3

In the second release, they indicated an age of 13 years. Distiller – The Liquor Expert+1

3. What is the mash bill / grains used?

This bourbon uses four grains: corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley (making it a “four-grain” mash bill) rather than the usual three-grain formulas. Whiskey Reviewer+3Distillery Trail+3Whiskey Reviewer+3

4. Is E.H. Taylor Four Grain Bourbon Bottled-in-Bond?

Yes. It meets the Bottled-in-Bond requirements (one distillation season, aged in bonded warehouse, bottled at 100 proof). Distillery Trail+3Breaking Bourbon+3The Whiskey Wash+3

5. Is E.H. Taylor Four Grain still produced / is it limited?

The Four Grain is a limited edition / special release. Whiskey Reviewer+3Distillery Trail+3Distiller – The Liquor Expert+3

In fact, Buffalo Trace has indicated that the second release in 2018 would be a “final release” (a “last call”) with no immediate plans to continue the Four Grain line. Distillery Trail

6. How does E.H. Taylor Four Grain Bourbon taste / what are its flavor notes?

In short: it is sweeter, fruit-forward, with grain complexity, oak/spice undertones, and a balanced finish. Some key flavor notes:

• Nose: Caramel, vanilla, pecan pie, dark fruit, floral, nutmeg, charred orange (depending on release) Bourbon Paddy+3The Whiskey Wash+3Breaking Bourbon+3

• Palate: Sweet (caramel, vanilla, butterscotch), dark fruit, spicy oak, grain interplay (wheat / rye), some barrel char elements Whiskey Reviewer+4The Whiskey Wash+4Breaking Bourbon+4

• Finish: Spiced oak, lingering caramel, warm fade, moderate heat or tannin, sometimes a chocolate / malt twist in promotional notes Breaking Bourbon+4Distillery Trail+4The Whiskey Wash+4

7. Is E.H. Taylor Four Grain Bourbon worth buying / collecting?

It depends on your priorities and budget. Some factors:

Arguments in favor:

• It’s a rare, limited, experimental expression (four-grain mash + long aging) — attractive to collectors and enthusiasts.

• Its flavor is nuanced, balanced, and layered, offering a different angle compared to standard three-grain bourbons.

• At original retail pricing, many reviewers consider it good value. Whiskeys like this tend to be more accessible in flavor (despite complexity) compared to ultra-high-proof / ultra-aged bottles.

• It adds uniqueness to a collection: having a four-grain, Bottled-in-Bond Taylor expression is uncommon.

Caveats / challenges:

• Because it’s limited and no longer regularly produced (with the “final release” remark), finding a bottle is often at inflated secondary prices.

• Some reviewers feel it is “light” or “underwhelming” in intensity relative to expectations, especially given the 12+ years of aging. Whiskey Reviewer+1

• The mash complexity means flavor balance is delicate; some bottles or barrels may not highlight all grain components equally or may lean too sweet or too wood-influenced.

• If you pay a heavy premium above original release price, the incremental enjoyment may not justify the cost.

So, for those who appreciate experimental or rare releases and can find it at reasonable cost, it can be a rewarding bottle. But if you’re chasing big, bold flavors or maximum “wow” for dollars, you may find more consistent value elsewhere.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

1. Novel mash composition — The inclusion of four grains allows for a broader palette of grain-derived flavors, which is less common in the bourbon world.

2. Extended aging — 12–13 years is significant maturation, especially for a four-grain bourbon, giving complexity and depth.

3. Balanced profile — Many reviews emphasize that it maintains sweetness, spice, oak, and grain interplay in a harmonious way without one extreme dominating.

4. Bottled-in-Bond assurance — The BiB designation gives some assurances about production standards and integrity of bottling.

5. Collector appeal — Because it is limited and potentially discontinued (“final release”), it has scarcity value among bourbon collectors.

Weaknesses / Risks

1. Availability & high secondary pricing — Because it is limited and possibly no longer in active production, market prices may be steep.

2. Variability / barrel selection risk — As with any limited / small batch, not every bottle or barrel will shine equally.

3. Flavor subtlety — Some reviewers feel the whiskey is too gentle or lacking in boldness for its age/price. Whiskey Reviewer+1

4. Sweetness risk — The strong influence of multiple grains can push toward sweetness; if balance leans too sweet, it may feel less complex to some palates.

5. No age statement — This leaves some uncertainty about exact maturity profile, though the disclosed ages help.

Conclusion

E.H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain 100 Proof Bourbon is a captivating expression that stands out in the Taylor lineup—and in the broader bourbon world—for its daring mash bill and mature aging. By combining corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley, Buffalo Trace attempted to draw from the positives of both rye-forward and wheated bourbons to produce a complex, multi-faceted spirit. The result is a bourbon that delivers sweetness, fruit notes, layered grain interplay, spice, oak, and a finish with character.

Because it is a limited edition and potentially ended (“last call”), Four Grain occupies a special niche: it appeals to collectors and experimental whiskey fans who seek something different from mainstream offerings. When found at or near its original retail pricing, many feel its flavors and novelty justify the purchase. However, due to scarcity and secondary market inflation, caution is advised to avoid overpaying.

If you enjoy exploring grain-driven nuance, appreciating mature bourbon, and collecting rare releases, Four Grain is a compelling candidate. If your priority is strong, bold flavors or maximal “bang for buck,” you’ll want to compare it against less exotic bourbons before committing.