Latest news with #EdmundHaynesTaylorJr.
Forbes
04-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Buffalo Trace Adds E.H. Taylor To Its Coveted Antique Collection
E.H. Taylor Bottled-and-Bond This fall, the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) is getting its first new addition in nearly two decades—and it's a big one. Buffalo Trace Distillery has officially confirmed that E.H. Taylor Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon will be joining its prestigious annual lineup, making its debut as part of the 2025 BTAC Collection. The move marks the first addition to BTAC since Thomas H. Handy was introduced back in 2006. And for longtime fans of Buffalo Trace's heritage-rich portfolio, this update feels more like destiny than surprise. The Bottled-in-Bond expression pays tribute to Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr., widely considered the 'Father of Modern Bourbon,' and the driving force behind one of the most significant milestones in whiskey history: the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. 'As a founding figure who helped define bourbon quality — not just for Buffalo Trace, but for the entire industry — it's only fitting that Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr.'s namesake brand takes its place among the collection,' Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director, Buffalo Trace Distillery said in an emailed statement. 'With this release, we proudly pay tribute to Colonel Taylor's enduring legacy of innovation and craftsmanship.' Buffalo Trace Antique Collection The Antique Collection is known for its limited annual releases that highlight long-aged, high-proof, and meticulously selected barrels from Buffalo Trace's extensive warehouses. It typically includes five expressions: These whiskeys are lauded not only for their complexity and rarity, but also for representing the pinnacle of Buffalo Trace's aging and blending programs. The inclusion of E.H. Taylor Bottled-in-Bond—a 100-proof, single-season, federally bonded bourbon—signals a new chapter. While the standard Bottled-in-Bond expression remains a consumer favorite in the $40–60 range, this BTAC release is expected to reflect extended aging, increased rarity, and deeper barrel selection—placing it in direct conversation with the likes of Stagg and Weller in terms of prestige. E.H. Taylor Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr. purchased the O.F.C. Distillery (now Buffalo Trace) in 1869, and his impact on American whiskey cannot be overstated. He was a relentless innovator, responsible for modernizing the distillery with copper fermentation tanks, grain handling systems, and steam-heated warehouses—some of which are still in use today. More importantly, Taylor was a key figure behind the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, the first piece of federal legislation to establish standards for whiskey production and labeling. It defined what constituted a 'straight' whiskey, mandated a minimum of four years of aging, and required the spirit to be the product of one distillation season, one distiller, and one distillery—all bottled at 100 proof under federal supervision. This act essentially introduced the idea of government-regulated whiskey purity—a vital protection for consumers during an era rife with counterfeit and adulterated spirits. In homage to that legacy, the new BTAC release will bear Taylor's signature, just as his original bottles once did. E.H. Taylor Bottled-and-Bond label For collectors, the introduction of a new BTAC label is a rare event—only the second in over 20 years. With existing BTAC expressions already fetching high secondary market prices and being the subject of annual lotteries, this addition will only increase demand. The move also strengthens the long-term positioning of the E.H. Taylor brand as a cornerstone of Buffalo Trace's prestige portfolio. While Buffalo Trace has yet to release details on age statement, mashbill, or barrel selection, expectations are high. The standard Bottled-in-Bond release already draws from Mashbill #1 (a low-rye bourbon mash), and if this BTAC edition follows suit—with additional aging and BTAC-level curation—it could become one of the more balanced and historically resonant entries in the collection. Look for the 2025 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection—including the debut of E.H. Taylor Bottled-in-Bond BTAC Edition—to begin arriving in extremely limited allocations this fall.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Buffalo Trace's Historic Bourbon Distillery Was Just Hit By A Massive Disaster
Record-breaking rain storms have been hitting the South and Midwest this past week, and the latest victim is the historic bourbon distillery belonging to Buffalo Trace. Starting last week, heavy rains have led to extensive flooding along the Kentucky River, which flows through the state capital of Frankfort, home to the Buffalo Trace Distillery complex. The flooding has led to mandatory evacuations as roads and towns have been submerged under 48 feet of water, making this the second worst flood in the river's history, falling less than half a foot short of a flood that happened back in 1937. In a captioned post from @buffalotracedistillery on Instagram, the company has posted an update saying the flood appears to have finally crested, allowing teams to assess the damage to the distillery. While the company says it's too early to determine the full scope of the damage, from what people have seen, the post says, "we can share that the flooding is extensive." The distillery has been closed since April 6, and Buffalo Trace expects it will remain closed for at least several more days as the waters recede. The company said in a press release (via Lexington Herald Leader) that it was able to take action before the floods hit to potentially mitigate the damage, but that it is still expecting the worst. Buffalo Trace says that anyone concerned can follow its accounts on social media for more updates, and for information about potential relief efforts for the community. Read more: 30 Best Gifts For The Bourbon Lover In Your Life While the area around Frankfort is home to many distilleries, Buffalo Trace's complex is one of the closest to the river. The Buffalo Trace Distillery is a national historic landmark, with some of the site's buildings dating back over 200 years. In 1869, Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr., considered the father of the modern bourbon industry, purchased the site and created the O.F.C. Distillery, which was purchased several years later by George T. Stagg, who continued to work with Taylor Jr. It was during this era that many of the historic warehouses and structures at the distillery were built. Because of the Kentucky River's history of flooding, Buffalo Trace says it has a lot of experience with flood management, which is why it had a plan in place for just such an emergency. Some buildings even contain markings measuring the height that other floods reached in the past, although the most recent is from almost 50 years ago. While this current flood level has yet to be measured, eyewitnesses reported that the visitor center and warehouses appear to be completely flooded. Beyond the namesake brand, Buffalo Trace produces many other popular and respected bourbons, such as Stagg and Blanton's, including one of the most sought after bourbons in the world: Pappy Van Winkle 23. While the resulting deaths and damage to the town are certainly more important, losing such a historic and beloved name for any amount of time would be a blow to bourbon lovers everywhere. Read the original article on Tasting Table.
