Everything You Need to Know About Buffalo Trace’s Newest Bourbon, Colonel EH Taylor Distiller’s Council

(Photo: Buffalo Trace)

On Wednesday, Buffalo Trace Distillery announced the release of Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Distiller’s Council, a limited-edition Bottled In Bond bourbon developed using 19th-century methods first pioneered by the brand’s namesake at the former O.F.C. Distillery.

This 100-proof Kentucky straight bourbon is described as the most historically accurate recreation of whiskey made under Taylor’s guidance during the 1800s. The release commemorates a 1996 meeting of veteran distillers at Buffalo Trace Distillery, who met to reflect on early whiskey-making techniques that had been largely forgotten.

The bourbon was produced using a revived version of Taylor’s original sour mash process — now patent-pending — and traditional fermentation methods and grain profiles that mirror those of the 1880s. Bottled in a vintage-style Grecian decanter inspired by a bottle depicted in a 1950s-era Old Taylor “Original Recipe” bourbon advertisement, the Distiller’s Council bourbon will begin rolling out nationally in July 2025 at a suggested retail price of $1,499.99 per 750-milliliter bottle. Availability will be limited and vary by location.

Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace’s master distiller since 2005, said the group’s efforts pay tribute to the late Colonel Taylor and the distillery workers who helped inspire the new release.

“Colonel Taylor’s unwavering commitment to quality and innovation has helped shape every decision at our Distillery since he set our standards in 1870,” Wheatley said in a news release. “His enduring legacy left a profound impact on everyone present on that fateful day in 1996. As many of them are no longer with us, we hope they are enjoying this angel’s share with the Colonel himself – watching proudly as we carry his vision forward.”

The 1996 meeting included prominent figures in bourbon history such as Elmer T. Lee, Orville Schupp, Jimmy Johnson, Gary Gayheart, Harlen Wheatley, Ronnie Eddins and Leonard Riddle. Their discussions led to renewed interest in Taylor’s early innovations and production standards, many of which helped modernize the industry.

Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr., often called the “Father of Modern Bourbon,” purchased the O.F.C. Distillery in 1869. He introduced a range of then-modern improvements, including copper fermentation tanks and steam-heated barrel warehouses. He also played a leading role in passing the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, legislation that ensured consistent production standards and consumer trust.

This marks the 14th release in the Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. collection, joining previous bottlings like Single Barrel, Four Grain, and Warehouse C Tornado Surviving Bourbon. Buffalo Trace also announced that an E.H. Taylor Bottled-in-Bond bourbon will be added to the annual Buffalo Trace Antique Collection beginning in Fall 2025.