Buffalo Trace Reintroduces Two Colonel E.H. Taylor Bourbons
Buffalo Trace Distillery is reintroducing Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain and Cured Oak, with Four Grain establishing itself as an annual limited release and Cured Oak returning as a rare, limited offering.
Four Grain Joins Annual Rotation
First introduced in 2017, E.H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey is a 100-proof, small-batch bourbon crafted from a distinctive recipe featuring high-quality corn, rye, wheat and malted barley. Distilled in 2015 and aged for ten years, the expression combines four grains to create a layered profile: corn delivers foundational sweetness, rye adds spice and structure, wheat softens the palate with subtle sweetness, and malted barley contributes depth with a gentle toasted character.
According to Harlen Wheatley, Master Distiller at Buffalo Trace Distillery, "What makes Four Grain so special is how unconventional it is. It's also a clear example of what we call a 'graduated experiment' – one that began as a deliberate exploration and evolved into a release worthy of returning as a permanent expression. Rye and wheat are often used separately, but combining them creates a completely different flavor experience. Alongside corn and malted barley, we're able to build layers of flavor that balance sweetness, spice and depth in a way you don't typically see in bourbon."
Cured Oak Returns as Limited Release
Originally released in 2015, E.H. Taylor, Jr. Cured Oak Bourbon Whiskey is a 100-proof, Bottled-in-Bond bourbon aged 10 years in barrels constructed from white oak staves that were air-dried for 13 months—more than twice the standard curing time. This extended curing process allows the whiskey to extract deeper, more complex flavors from the oak during maturation.
"What you notice with Cured Oak is the added depth and complexity that comes from the extended curing process," said Wheatley. "Most of our barrels are cured for six months, but with this release the extended curing brings forward richer notes that create a longer, more layered finish."
Availability and Pricing
Both expressions are available beginning in May 2026 at a suggested retail price of $79.99 per 750ml bottle. Four Grain will be available at Buffalo Trace Distillery and Sazerac House Gift Shops, as well as select retailers in Kentucky and Louisiana. Cured Oak will be released via Sazerac's distribution network to select retailers, bars, and restaurants across the United States.
Historical Context
Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. purchased O.F.C. Distillery (now Buffalo Trace) in 1869 and is credited with implementing innovative techniques still used today, including advanced grain handling, copper fermentation tanks, and steam-heated warehouses. Taylor also played a pivotal role in the passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, which established quality standards that continue to shape the bourbon industry.
Charley Costa, Brand Manager for Whiskey at Buffalo Trace Distillery, stated: "Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. was a true pioneer whose commitment to craftsmanship helped redefine what bourbon could be. Four Grain and Cured Oak reflect that legacy in distinct ways: one through an unconventional grain composition, the other through the influence of barrel aging. Together, they demonstrate how intentional innovation and a dedication to quality can produce truly distinctive whiskeys."
Why It Matters
For on-premise and retail operators, the reintroduction of these expressions provides access to limited-edition bourbons with distinct production stories that appeal to premiumization trends. Four Grain's permanent annual status offers reliable inventory planning, while Cured Oak's scarcity supports higher-margin allocations and exclusivity positioning.
---
For more insights and trends in the food and beverage sector, check out more articles in The Food & Beverage Magazine family of publications.
Written by FBM Publications Editors
