Old Taylor
Old Taylor is a brand of straight bourbon whiskey produced by the Sazerac Company at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.[1] Named in honor of Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr., a pioneering 19th-century distiller, banker, and politician often regarded as the father of the modern bourbon industry, the brand originated from Taylor's efforts to elevate bourbon production standards and promote its quality worldwide.[2][3] In 1887, Taylor constructed the Old Taylor Distillery in Millville, Kentucky—now part of Woodford County—as a grand, European-inspired castle-like facility intended to showcase innovative distillation techniques and attract tourists, marking it as one of the earliest examples of bourbon-focused destination architecture.[4] The distillery became renowned for producing high-quality straight bourbon under the Old Taylor label, incorporating advanced methods such as copper fermentation vats and sour mash processes that Taylor championed to ensure purity and consistency.[2] The distillery operations were halted by the onset of Prohibition in 1920, and following Taylor's death in 1923,[5] the distillery and brand underwent multiple ownership changes, including acquisition by National Distillers in the 1930s and Jim Beam in 1987.[6] Production at the original site ceased in 1972, leading to its abandonment until a 2014 revival by Castle & Key Distillery, which restored the historic structures while producing new craft spirits on-site.[7] The Old Taylor brand itself was acquired by Sazerac in 2009 from Jim Beam, allowing for its relaunch with an emphasis on small-batch, aged expressions distilled at Buffalo Trace using traditional Kentucky methods.[8] Notable offerings include the core 6-year-old straight bourbon, bottled at 80 proof, which features a profile of sweet apple, caramel, maple, oak, and subtle cinnamon spice, reflecting the brand's heritage of balanced, approachable flavor.[9]Founder and Early History
Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr.'s Life and Career
Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr. was born on February 12, 1830, in Columbus, Kentucky. He was the son of John Eastin Taylor and Rebecca Edrington, becoming orphaned at the age of five following his father's death from typhus while traveling by flatboat from New Orleans. Raised by his uncle, Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, a prominent banker in Lexington, young Edmund received his education at the Sayre School near Lexington and later at Boyer's French School in New Orleans. As a descendant of early American settlers, Taylor was the grand-nephew of U.S. President Zachary Taylor through family ties tracing back to shared ancestry with Presidents James Madison and Zachary Taylor.[10][11][12][13][14] Taylor's early career reflected his family's mercantile influences, beginning in banking at age 23 when he joined the firm Taylor, Turner and Co. in Lexington in 1853, which later reorganized as Taylor, Shelby and Co. The Panic of 1857 led to the firm's failure amid economic turmoil and Civil War unrest, prompting Taylor to pivot to commodity trading, including tobacco and other goods, in Frankfort during the 1860s. His banking experience brought him into contact with Kentucky's distillers, as he financed and organized several early whiskey operations, fostering his growing interest in the industry. Taylor was also active in local politics, serving as Mayor of Frankfort for multiple terms, including 1871–1877 and 1881–1890. Known for his sharp business acumen and innovative mindset, Taylor earned the honorary title of "Colonel" as a Kentucky Colonel, a recognition of his civic leadership and contributions.[13][2][11][15][14] Taylor's direct entry into the whiskey business occurred in 1869, when he purchased a small distillery on the outskirts of Frankfort, Kentucky, renaming it the O.F.C. Distillery after its old fire copper equipment. This venture marked his transition from financier to producer, where he emphasized quality control and pure distillation methods, laying groundwork for industry standards. A passionate advocate for regulatory reforms to protect consumers from adulterated spirits, Taylor lobbied for the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. He died on January 19, 1923, in Frankfort, Kentucky, at the age of 92, and was buried in Frankfort Cemetery.[2][12][10]Initial Distilleries and Industry Influence
In the years following the Civil War, Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr. entered the distilling industry with ambitious acquisitions, purchasing or establishing seven distilleries across Kentucky between 1869 and the 1890s. His first venture was the acquisition of the Leestown Distillery in 1869, located on the banks of the Kentucky River near Frankfort, which he renamed the O.F.C. (Old Fire Copper) Distillery.[16] This facility served as a model for his operations, emphasizing high-quality production amid an era of inconsistent whiskey standards. Over the subsequent decades, Taylor expanded his portfolio, including involvement in the Carlisle Distillery and others, though economic pressures would later force divestitures.[17][14] At the O.F.C. Distillery, Taylor introduced several key innovations that elevated bourbon production. He implemented a more efficient sour mash fermentation process, utilizing copper fermentation tanks and advanced grain-handling equipment to ensure consistency and purity.[2] Taylor also prioritized sourcing pure limestone-filtered water from the Kentucky River, recognizing its role in flavor development, and pioneered steam heating systems in rickhouses for better climate control during aging.[18] These advancements, including the adoption of column stills and modernized facilities, set benchmarks for hygiene and quality that influenced subsequent distillers.[3] Taylor's influence extended beyond operations to broader industry reform, particularly his advocacy against rectifiers who adulterated whiskey with additives in the 1880s. He lobbied vigorously in Washington, D.C., testifying before congressional committees on the need for federal standards to protect consumers from impure spirits.[19] His efforts contributed to the formation of early trade groups like the Kentucky Distillers' Association and culminated in the pivotal Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, which mandated government oversight for bonded whiskeys.[3] However, financial strains from overproduction and economic downturns led to Taylor's bankruptcy in 1877, prompting the sale of key assets, including the O.F.C. Distillery to George T. Stagg.[13] Despite these setbacks, his foundational work shaped Kentucky's whiskey standards for generations.[20]The Castle Distillery
Design and Construction
The Old Taylor Distillery was constructed on an approximately 82-acre site along Glenn's Creek in Millville, Woodford County, Kentucky, beginning in 1887 under the direction of Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr.[7] The facility represented a departure from the utilitarian industrial designs of contemporary distilleries, instead embodying Taylor's ambition to elevate bourbon production into a prestigious, visually striking enterprise.[21] The distillery's architecture drew inspiration from medieval European castles, featuring a turreted limestone facade, ornate springhouse in Roman style, and landscaped grounds with pergolas and pools to create an estate-like atmosphere.[22] These elements, constructed primarily from hand-cut Kentucky limestone, symbolized the prestige of the bourbon industry and served as a deliberate aesthetic choice to attract visitors.[7] Taylor, leveraging his prior experience with distilleries like the O.F.C. Distillery, envisioned the site as the first in the United States purpose-built for tourism alongside high-quality whiskey production.[23] Engineering aspects emphasized purity and efficiency, utilizing gravity-fed limestone-filtered spring water sourced from an on-site pool beneath the peristyle structure for mashing and processing.[7] The design incorporated steam-powered machinery to support operations, reflecting innovative adaptations for the era's industrial standards while prioritizing the site's role as a showpiece destination for entertaining guests through tours and tastings.[22]Operations and Key Innovations
The Old Taylor Distillery, established in 1887 by Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr., commenced operations shortly thereafter and remained active until 1917, when grain restrictions imposed by the U.S. Food and Fuel Control Act during World War I forced its closure.[7] During this period, the facility produced high-quality straight bourbon whiskey, leveraging the pure, limestone-filtered spring water sourced directly from the property along Glenn's Creek in Woodford County, Kentucky, which contributed to the spirit's clarity and mineral profile. Taylor's oversight emphasized consistent production standards, aligning with his broader advocacy for industry regulation to ensure product purity and consumer trust.[21][24][7] Key innovations under Taylor's direction included the adoption of column stills for continuous distillation, copper fermentation tanks to enhance efficiency and flavor consistency, and state-of-the-art grain milling equipment to optimize mash preparation. He also implemented an improved sour mash process, recycling fermented grains to maintain batch uniformity, and introduced one of the earliest mechanized bottling lines for bourbon, marking a shift toward industrialized production. To uphold sanitary conditions, Taylor prioritized clean facilities and rigorous hygiene protocols, which were instrumental in his successful lobbying for the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897; this legislation mandated government oversight, including detailed record-keeping for distillation dates, aging periods, and traceability, setting precedents for modern bourbon accountability.[2][3][7] The distillery employed a dedicated workforce, including skilled distillers, coopers, and laborers, to manage daily operations from mashing and fermentation to barreling and warehousing. By the early 1900s, production had scaled significantly, reflecting Taylor's engineering advancements, though exact figures varied with market demands. Economic pressures from the Panic of 1893 and subsequent depressions challenged the operation, compounded by Taylor's retirement from active management in 1897, after which his sons and successors navigated the distillery through growing temperance movements and regulatory shifts.[14][25]Closure and Subsequent Revival
The Old Taylor Distillery ceased operations in 1917 due to grain restrictions imposed by the U.S. Food and Fuel Control Act during World War I, which prohibited the use of grains for distilling to support the war effort.[7] After the ratification of the 21st Amendment ended Prohibition in 1933, National Distillers Products Corporation acquired the site and resumed production in 1935.[7] However, the distillery closed permanently in 1972 under National Distillers' ownership, marking the end of active whiskey production on the property.[26] Following its closure, the distillery sat abandoned for over 40 years, falling into severe disrepair as nature reclaimed the once-grand castle-like structures, with vandalism and weathering contributing to its haunting decay.[7] The site became a point of interest for urban explorers and photographers drawn to its picturesque ruins, though access was restricted due to safety concerns from structural instability.[22] In recognition of its architectural and industrial significance, the complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.[6] In 2014, entrepreneurs Will Arvin and Wes Murry purchased the dilapidated property through their company Peristyle LLC for $950,000, launching a comprehensive restoration project that invested approximately $30 million to revive the historic buildings while complying with preservation standards.[7][27] The site reopened in September 2018 as Castle & Key Distillery, an independent operation producing its own gin and rye whiskey, with the first release of bourbon distilled on-site occurring in 2022 (from distillate produced starting in 2018); the facility remains unaffiliated with the Old Taylor brand.[28][29] As of November 2025, Castle & Key operates as a boutique distillery offering public tours, tastings, and events on its restored grounds, focusing on small-batch spirits without any Old Taylor production.[30][31]Brand Evolution
Creation and Early Marketing
The Old Taylor brand was established in the late 1880s by Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr., who named it after himself to honor his contributions to the bourbon industry, with the first bottlings occurring around 1887 at the newly constructed Castle Distillery in Millville, Kentucky.[14][32] Taylor emphasized the production of "pure" or straight bourbon, free from additives and properly aged, aligning with his advocacy for higher quality standards in whiskey production.[33] The distillery's innovative design, resembling a European castle with limestone structures and landscaped gardens, was intended to attract tourists and underscore the brand's premium heritage from its inception.[14] Early marketing positioned Old Taylor as a high-end, bottled-in-bond whiskey, particularly after the passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act in 1897, which Taylor had championed; the brand quickly became synonymous with government-guaranteed "topmost" quality and a leader in the category.[32][33] Promotional efforts included a distinctive gold label introduced in the early 1890s for visibility on shelves, placement of empty bottles in upscale bar waste to imply elite consumption, and lithographed advertisements featuring Taylor's signature, portrait, and castle imagery to evoke artistry and nobility.[14][34] By the 1930s and 1940s, ads in magazines like LIFE reinforced this with slogans such as "With True Artist’s Pride, He Signed His Finest Work" (1935) and "Sealed with a Government Bonded Stamp" (1941), targeting discerning consumers through themes of mastery and tradition.[34] During Prohibition (1920–1933), Old Taylor survived through exemptions for medicinal whiskey, bottled by the American Medicinal Spirits Company—one of only six firms licensed for such purposes—and distributed via pharmacies with prescriptions, maintaining brand visibility amid the ban.[35][36] Following repeal in 1933, the brand expanded nationally under new ownership by National Distillers Products Corporation, which acquired the distillery in 1935 and focused on upscale markets by leveraging the castle's romantic imagery in packaging and promotions to appeal to affluent buyers seeking authentic Kentucky heritage.[37][34] Pre-1950s partnerships with distributors emphasized bonded products for reliability, with events like distillery tours and burgoo feasts for bankers in 1915 further building prestige among business elites.[32]Ownership Changes Through the 20th Century
Following the repeal of Prohibition, National Distillers Products Corporation acquired the Old Taylor distillery and brand in 1935, reopening the facility and resuming production of the whiskey under its historic name.[38] The company integrated Old Taylor into its expanding portfolio of American whiskeys, which included prominent labels like Old Crow and Old Grand-Dad, leveraging the distillery's innovative infrastructure to support broader operations during the post-war boom in bourbon demand.[39] By the 1950s and into the 1960s, Old Taylor remained a key asset for National Distillers, with production continuing at the Frankfort-area site amid steady industry growth. However, as bourbon consumption began to wane in the late 1960s due to shifting consumer preferences toward lighter spirits like vodka, National halted distillation at the Old Taylor facility in 1972, redirecting production to nearby sites such as the Old Grand-Dad distillery in Frankfort to maintain efficiency amid declining sales.[7] This relocation reflected broader industry pressures, with many smaller operations consolidating resources to survive the downturn that saw U.S. bourbon volumes drop by nearly 50% between 1970 and 1990.[40] In 1987, Jim Beam Brands acquired National Distillers Products in a major consolidation move, absorbing Old Taylor and other legacy brands into its portfolio while retaining production at various Kentucky facilities, including those in Frankfort and Clermont.[38] Under Beam's ownership through the 1990s, Old Taylor was produced on a reduced scale as part of the company's diversified whiskey lineup, but the brand struggled with diminished visibility and market share amid ongoing industry challenges, including aggressive competition from imported spirits and further mergers that streamlined operations across the sector.[41] By the early 2000s, releases had become limited, marking the end of a century-long trajectory shaped by corporate shifts and fluctuating demand.[39]Modern Acquisition and Revival
In 2009, the Old Taylor bourbon brand and its inventory were acquired by the Sazerac Company from Beam Global Spirits & Wine in a trade that saw Sazerac relinquish the Effen Vodka brand to Beam.[42] This transaction marked a pivotal shift following the brand's earlier challenges in the 20th century, positioning it under the stewardship of Sazerac, the parent company of Buffalo Trace Distillery.[43] Sazerac introduced the premium Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. collection in early 2011 to honor the legacy of its namesake founder while differentiating it in the competitive bourbon market.[44] Production was centralized at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, leveraging the facility's historic warehouses originally built under Taylor's influence to craft small-batch expressions that emphasize quality and tradition.[45] Following the 2011 introduction, the premium line experienced notable growth through expanded limited releases, such as annual barrel-proof and single-barrel variants, all underscoring E.H. Taylor Jr.'s contributions to bourbon standards and innovation.[18] In 2025, Colonel E.H. Taylor Bottled-in-Bond joined the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the brand's revival.[46] Ownership has remained stable under Sazerac since the 2009 acquisition, with no significant changes reported.[47]Products and Production
Current Variants and Specifications
The modern lineup under the Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. brand (reviving the Old Taylor heritage), produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery under the Sazerac Company, centers on small-batch expressions utilizing the distillery's low-rye Mash Bill #1 recipe. Exact proportions are proprietary, but it is estimated at over 80% corn, less than 10% rye, and the remainder malted barley.[45] All variants are aged 4 to 15 years in new charred oak barrels and are non-chill filtered to preserve flavor intensity. Core offerings include the flagship E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Bourbon, a bottled-in-bond expression bottled at 100 proof with no age statement (typically around 4-8 years old), offering notes of caramel, vanilla, and subtle spice for everyday sipping.[48] The Single Barrel variant, also 100 proof and bottled-in-bond, features hand-selected barrels aged approximately 7 years, delivering pronounced oak, dried fruit, and tobacco flavors unique to each cask.[49][50] For bolder profiles, the Barrel Proof release is uncut and unfiltered at cask strength (typically 125-135 proof, varying by batch), aged around 8 years, with intense caramel, leather, and rye spice; it is produced in limited annual batches.[45][51] The rye variant, E.H. Taylor, Jr. Straight Rye Whiskey, diverges to a high-rye mash bill (estimated 65%+ rye with malted barley and no corn), bottled-in-bond at 100 proof with no age statement (at least 4 years), emphasizing herbal, minty, and peppery characteristics.[45][52] A Barrel Proof Rye edition, uncut at around 130 proof and aged 7-9 years, was introduced as a limited extension in recent years, amplifying rye's bold, spicy depth.[53][54] Limited editions expand the portfolio with annual or special releases, such as the 2025 E.H. Taylor, Jr. Bottled-in-Bond from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, a 15-year-old expression at 100 proof honoring historical standards with rich oak, caramel, and fruit notes.[55][56] Other 2025 limited releases include the Distiller's Council edition, a 100-proof tribute to 19th-century methods using select older barrels (aged just over 15 years) for deepened complexity.[57] Pricing across the lineup ranges from $30-50 for Small Batch to over $200 for antique limited editions, reflecting scarcity and age.[58][59] Note that a legacy Old Taylor 80-proof straight bourbon (NAS, from pre-acquisition stock) remains available in some markets but is not part of current production.| Variant | Proof | Age (Typical) | Key Characteristics | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Batch Bourbon | 100 | 4-8 years (NAS) | Caramel, vanilla, subtle spice; bottled-in-bond | Core, allocated |
| Single Barrel Bourbon | 100 | ~7 years (NAS) | Oak, dried fruit, tobacco; bottled-in-bond | Core, allocated |
| Barrel Proof Bourbon | 125-135 (varies) | ~8 years (NAS) | Intense caramel, leather, rye spice; uncut/unfiltered | Limited annual batches |
| Straight Rye Whiskey | 100 | 4+ years (NAS) | Herbal, minty, pepper; bottled-in-bond, high-rye mash | Core, allocated |
| Barrel Proof Rye | ~130 (varies) | 7-9 years (NAS) | Bold spice, rye depth; uncut/unfiltered | Limited releases |
| 2025 Bottled-in-Bond (BTAC) | 100 | 15 years | Oak, caramel, fruit; historical tribute | Limited edition |