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Old Taylor 1917 Bottled in Bond 16 Year Old Pint / Prohibition Era Bottling
Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr is considered one of the true bourbon pioneers. Born in 1830, he was orphaned at the age of five and was adopted by his uncle, Edmund Haynes Taylor Snr, who rechristened him as his junior. E.H. Taylor Jr is also referred to as Colonel Taylor due to his holding of the honourary title of Kentucky Colonel, something he shares with a number of state's distinguished sons, most notably a certain fried chicken vendor. Throughout his career, Taylor set up and owned seven different distilleries, and his lobbying for the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 has seen him considered as "the father of modern bourbon." Ten years earlier, having sold his stake in the OFC distillery (now Buffalo Trace), to George T. Stagg, he set up the Old Taylor distillery near Frankfort in Kentucky. The distillery featured a faux-Castle and sunken gardens on-site, and was the birthplace of bourbon tourism. Here he established the Old Taylor brand, which following Prohibition passed into the hands of National Distillers, one of the "big four" distilling company's who dominated the post-repeal market. The distillery itself closed in 1972, but production was moved to the neighbouring Old Grand-dad site until National Distillers were acquired by Jim Beam in 1987, who converted it into a warehousing and bottling facility. Beam marketed the brand alongside the other "Olds" from the National Distiller portfolio (Old Crow and Old Grand-dad) until 2009 when the Sazerac Company acquired it, returning Taylor's name to his early spiritual home at Buffalo Trace.
This was distilled at the Old Taylor Castle distillery in Frankfort in 1917. It closed the following year due to the Lever Food & Fuel Act and did not re-open until acquired by the American Medicinal Spirits Company in 1927. They bottled this during Prohibition in 1932 using their medicinal license.
The American Medicinal Spirits Company was one of only six distilling companies to survive Prohibition of the 434 that existed prior. Exploiting the medicinal loophole was the brainchild of Otto Wathen, then president of his father's R.E. Wathen distillery and it was an idea that continues to prove its value today in the persisting image of his still ever-popular portfolio, which included the bourbon classic, Old Grand-dad. The AMS Co was eventually taken over by National Distillers who reorganised it in 1927, incorporating their Kentucky Distilleries & Warehouse Co, R.E. Wathen & Co, Hill & Hill, and E.H. Taylor & Sons.
Colonel Taylor's unwavering commitment to excellence and his pioneering spirit paved the way for Old Taylor to become a symbol of craftsmanship and refinement in the world of whiskey. With a meticulous attention to detail and an uncompromising dedication to using only the finest ingredients, Old Taylor has consistently produced bourbons of unparalleled character and flavor.
Over the years, Old Taylor has weathered the tides of change while remaining steadfast in its pursuit of perfection. From its humble beginnings in the heart of Kentucky to its enduring presence on the global stage, the brand has stood as a beacon of quality, integrity, and tradition.
Today, Old Taylor continues to uphold its legacy as a purveyor of exceptional bourbon whiskey, cherished by connoisseurs and aficionados alike. With each sip, drinkers are transported on a journey through time, experiencing the rich tapestry of flavors and aromas that define the Old Taylor experience.
Rooted in history yet timeless in its appeal, Old Taylor remains a symbol of the enduring spirit of American craftsmanship and ingenuity. As the legacy of Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. lives on, so too does the legacy of Old Taylor, a testament to the timeless artistry of bourbon whiskey.
