You’ve probably seen the yellow tube sitting behind a glass case at your local liquor store, sporting a price tag that looks like a monthly mortgage payment. It’s a bit ridiculous, honestly. We’re talking about E.H. Taylor 4 Grain, a bottle that has reached a sort of mythical status in the bourbon world, partly because of what’s inside and partly because one guy with a notepad decided it was the best thing on the planet back in 2017.
Most bourbons are simple creatures. They usually pick a side: you’re either a "rye-heavy" bourbon with a spicy kick or a "wheated" bourbon that’s soft and sweet. But Buffalo Trace decided to get experimental with this one. They took corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley—the four grains the Colonel himself would’ve had access to in the late 1800s—and mashed them all together.
The result? Something that feels like a bit of a tightrope walk.
Why E.H. Taylor 4 Grain Isn't Just Another Allocated Bottle
When the first batch hit the shelves in 2017, it wasn't just another limited release. It was the ninth expression in the Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. lineup, and it carried a 12-year age statement. That’s old for a four-grain. Most craft distilleries trying the four-grain approach are putting out stuff that's three or four years old, which usually tastes like wet cardboard and young grain.
Buffalo Trace had the patience to let this sit in the wood since 2005.
Then Jim Murray happened. In his 2018 Whisky Bible, he named E.H. Taylor 4 Grain the World Whisky of the Year.
Boom.
Overnight, a bottle that was supposed to retail for around $70 became a $1,000+ unicorn. It was madness. People who didn't even drink bourbon were suddenly hunting for "the yellow tube." But here’s the thing: if you talk to seasoned drinkers today, the reviews are... complicated. Some think it’s a masterpiece of balance. Others, like the folks over at Breaking Bourbon, found it a bit one-note on the sweetness, missing that "wow" factor you’d expect from such a legendary mash bill.
Breaking Down the Mash Bill (And Why It Matters)
Normally, Buffalo Trace keeps their mash bills under lock and key. We know "Mash Bill #1" is low rye (think Eagle Rare) and "Mash Bill #2" is higher rye (think Blanton’s). But for E.H. Taylor 4 Grain, they basically threw the playbook out the window.
- Corn: The base. It provides that classic Kentucky sweetness.
- Rye: The pepper. It’s supposed to give the back of your throat a little "zing."
- Wheat: The silk. It rounds out the edges and adds a bready, creamy mouthfeel.
- Malted Barley: The enzyme engine. It helps the fermentation and adds a touch of cereal funk.
Harlen Wheatley, the Master Distiller, once mentioned they wanted to see how the rye and wheat mash bills they already used would interact if they lived in the same barrel. It’s a bit of a science project. Because it’s a Bottled-in-Bond release, it has to follow the rules Taylor himself fought for: 100 proof, aged at least four years (this one did 12), and the product of a single distilling season at one distillery.
The Reality of the Flavor Profile
If you actually get a pour of this—and I mean a real pour, not just staring at the bottle on a shelf—don't expect a spice bomb. It’s surprisingly gentle.
The nose is heavy on the vanilla and "caramel corn." It smells like a state fair in the best way possible. There’s a tiny bit of floral action, maybe some light cherry, but it’s not hitting you over the head with oak despite being 12 years old.
On the palate, it’s oily. That’s the wheat talking. You get those butterscotch and almond notes, and the 100-proof "spine" keeps it from being too flabby. But here’s the kicker: the rye is almost a ghost. It’s there, but it’s more of a suggestion than a statement. If you’re a high-rye fanatic who wants that clove and black pepper punch, you might actually find this a bit boring. It’s a "refined" pour, which is often code for "it won't offend anyone."
What It Costs in 2026
Let’s be real about the money. The MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) is still technically in the $70–$80 range.
Good luck with that.
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In 2026, finding a bottle of E.H. Taylor 4 Grain at retail is like finding a polite comment section on the internet—it just doesn't happen. On the secondary market or at high-end boutiques like Sip Whiskey or Keg N Bottle, you’re looking at anywhere from $1,200 to $1,800.
Is any liquid worth 20 times its retail price? Probably not. But for collectors, this isn't just whiskey; it's a trophy. It’s a piece of the "Jim Murray Era" of bourbon history.
The Legend vs. The Liquid
There is a massive divide between what people say about this bottle and how it actually tastes. Because it won such a high-profile award, expectations are astronomical.
If you go into it expecting the greatest sensory experience of your life, you’ll be disappointed. If you go into it expecting a very well-made, 12-year-old, Bottled-in-Bond bourbon that showcases a unique "middle ground" between a wheater and a rye-bourbon, you’ll have a great time.
It’s a historical tribute. Colonel Taylor was a grain trader before he was a distiller. He knew his stuff. This bottle is Buffalo Trace’s way of saying, "This is what the boss would have made if he had our modern tech."
Practical Steps for Enthusiasts
If you are dying to try this but don't want to sell a kidney, don't buy a bottle.
Go to a high-end whiskey bar. Yes, a 2-ounce pour might cost you $80 or $100. That sounds insane, right? But it’s a lot cheaper than $1,500. Plus, you get to see if the hype matches your personal palate.
- Check the Year: Most of what’s out there is from the 2017 or 2018 releases. There haven't been massive "standard" runs of this lately, making it even more of a ghost.
- Look for Alternatives: If you like the four-grain concept, look at Penelope Bourbon or Hardin’s Creek. They won't have the "Colonel" name on the label, but they are doing interesting things with multi-grain mash bills for a fraction of the cost.
- Storage Matters: If you do own a bottle, keep it out of the sun. Those iconic yellow tubes fade fast in UV light, and for collectors, a faded tube is a tragedy.
Ultimately, E.H. Taylor 4 Grain represents the peak of bourbon's "Gold Rush." It’s a fantastic liquid trapped inside a bubble of extreme hype. It’s sweet, it’s balanced, and it’s a testament to the 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Act. Just don't let the "Whisky of the Year" labels convince you that it's magic—it's just very, very good bourbon.
Next Steps for Your Collection
To truly understand the Taylor legacy, compare this to the E.H. Taylor Small Batch. It uses the standard Mash Bill #1, but it’s the benchmark for everything else the brand does. Tasting them side-by-side (if you can) reveals exactly how much that extra wheat and the 12-year aging process changed the base spirit's DNA.