Colonel E.H. Taylor Cured Oak Bourbon - 2026

Colonel E.H. Taylor Cured Oak Bourbon - 2026

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Cured Oak is a 100-proof, Bottled-in-Bond bourbon aged ten years in barrels built from white oak staves air-dried for 13 months — more than double the standard six-month curing time.

For E.H. Taylor devotees, Cured Oak is a deep cut: one of the most coveted bottlings in the lineup, absent for more than a decade. Originally released in 2015 with a 17-year age statement, What sets Cured Oak apart is the wood. Buffalo Trace seasons its standard staves for about six months; these were air-dried for 13. That longer curing draws more tannin and terpene development out of the oak before the distillate ever enters the barrel, meaning the wood has more to give. The result is a more layered bourbon shaped by the barrel rather than by age alone.

The 2026 edition steps down from the original's 17-year statement to 10 years — a change collectors will note. Master distiller Harlen Wheatley has been clear that age was never the point: for this release, the distillery felt the 10-year mark delivered an exceptionally balanced bourbon while still showcasing the influence of the extra-seasoned barrels. Distribution runs nationally through Sazerac's network of retailers, bars, and restaurants, with an expected lower overall bottle volume.

Tasting Notes

The brand's official notes describe tobacco, dried fruit, vanilla, and toffee, complemented by undertones of seasoned oak and a long, dry finish.

Specs

• Distillery: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
• Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
• Age: 10 years
• Designation: Bottled-in-Bond
• Barrel: white oak, staves air-dried 13 months
• Size: 750ml