Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Batch 15 is the 2026 edition of Buffalo Trace's most uncompromising E.H. Taylor release, bottled uncut and unfiltered at 127.9 proof. The line honors Edmund Haynes Taylor Jr., born in Kentucky in 1830, who moved to Louisiana with his great uncle Zachary Taylor before returning to Kentucky and making his most indelible mark on history as a founding father of the modern bourbon industry. Taylor founded the distillery now known as Buffalo Trace in 1869 under its original name, Old Fire Copper, and his advocacy gave America the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, the country's first consumer protection law. This whiskey is drawn directly from hand selected barrels of Buffalo Trace's low rye Mash Bill #1 and aged in the century old warehouses Taylor built and oversaw. Bottled without any dilution down to a lower proof, Batch 15 shows a deeper and more concentrated side of the bourbon profile. Barrel Proof is released roughly once a year, and each batch carries its own natural strength, which is why the label reads proof varies by batch, quality unyielding. Batch 15 pours a rich amber. The nose brings caramel, vanilla and dark fruit alongside brown sugar, toasted oak and leather. The palate is bold and structured, layering rich sweetness and mature oak with cinnamon, clove, tobacco and generous barrel spice. The finish is long and warming, with lingering oak, caramel, dark fruit and the unmistakable intensity of its full strength. A few drops of water or a large ice cube will open it beautifully, though seasoned palates will find plenty to explore neat. Presented in the collection's signature yellow label with a kraft gift tube, Batch 15 is a highly allocated annual release and a strong choice for Buffalo Trace collectors and special occasion pours.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
63.95% |
| Proof |
127.9 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
| Type |
Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, Barrel Proof |
| Batch |
15 (2026 release) |
| Distillery |
Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky |
| Mashbill |
Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (low rye) |
| Maturation |
New charred oak in century old warehouses built by E.H. Taylor Jr. |
| Filtration |
Uncut and unfiltered |
| Bottling Code |
L26 |
Tasting Notes
Color: Rich amber.
Nose: Caramel, vanilla and dark fruit with brown sugar, toasted oak and leather.
Palate: Bold and structured, with rich sweetness and mature oak over cinnamon, clove, tobacco and generous barrel spice.
Finish: Long and warming, with lingering oak, caramel, dark fruit, vanilla and leather.
FAQ
What proof is E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 15?
Batch 15 is bottled at 127.9 proof (63.95% ABV), uncut and unfiltered.
How do I confirm I have Batch 15?
Batch 15 is the only Barrel Proof release bottled at 127.9 proof, and the laser code on the glass reads L26 for the 2026 bottling.
Where is the laser code on the bottle?
Look along the lower edge of the glass for faint white lettering. Tilt the bottle toward a light source, since the code has no texture to the touch.
What mashbill is used?
It comes from Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1, the distillery's low rye bourbon recipe.
How does Batch 15 compare to recent batches?
At 127.9 proof it sits just above Batch 14 and close to Batch 13. Each batch is bottled at its own natural strength, so the character shifts year to year.
Where can I buy Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 15 online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
