For bourbon and rye enthusiasts, the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) has long been one of the most sought-after and revered whiskey collections in the world. Since its inception in 2006, this ultra-limited series of premium bourbons and ryes has become a seasonal highlight, featuring rare and highly aged expressions of legendary names like Sazerac Rye, Thomas H. Handy Rye, George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller, and Eagle Rare. Each fall, collectors and connoisseurs alike eagerly await the release of these exquisite whiskeys, which are snapped up almost immediately.
But 2025 promises to bring the biggest shakeup to BTAC in decades. This year, the collection expands to include a sixth whiskey—the iconic EH Taylor Bottled-in-Bond bourbon.
EH Taylor Bottled-in-Bond: A Historic Addition
The EH Taylor Bottled-in-Bond bourbon is a natural and fitting addition to the BTAC lineup. Rooted deeply in American bourbon history, this style adheres to the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, the first federal legislation establishing quality standards for American whiskey—and a pioneering consumer protection law.
By definition, Bottled-in-Bond whiskey must be:
100 proof (50% ABV)
Aged for a minimum of four years
Produced from a single distillation season
Distilled at a single distillery
The EH Taylor brand itself pays tribute to Colonel Edmund Haines Taylor Jr., who founded the distillery in 1869 under the name Old Fire Copper and was instrumental in the creation of the Bottled-in-Bond Act. EH Taylor’s bourbons have long been cult favorites among whiskey aficionados, renowned for their quality and historical significance.
Andrew Duncan, Buffalo Trace’s global brand director, shared:
“As a founder who helped define bourbon quality—not only for Buffalo Trace, but for the industry as a whole—it’s only fitting that Colonel EH Taylor Jr.’s eponymous brand is included in our collection. [BTAC] was originally created to celebrate our heritage brands and the visionary behind them, giving whiskey lovers the opportunity to taste some of the rarest and most exceptional whiskeys to ever come out of our distillery. With this expression, we proudly pay tribute to Colonel Taylor’s legacy of innovation and craftsmanship.”
What to Expect from the New EH Taylor Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
While the official BTAC version of EH Taylor Bottled-in-Bond won’t hit shelves until October 2025, and label approval was just recently granted, Buffalo Trace offers some tantalizing clues based on their flagship EH Taylor Small Batch bottling:
Tasting notes for the Small Batch: sweet caramel corn, butterscotch, licorice, with a soft finish that develops into subtle spices of pepper and tobacco.
The Small Batch bottling uses Buffalo Trace’s Mash Bill No. 1, a low rye recipe common to most EH Taylor bourbons. It’s reasonable to expect the BTAC EH Taylor will be built on the same mash bill but aged longer to meet the collection’s ultra-premium standards.
To give some perspective on BTAC aging benchmarks:
Sazerac Rye in the regular lineup is typically aged about 6 years; its BTAC counterpart is aged 18 years.
Eagle Rare standard is aged 10 years; the BTAC Eagle Rare is aged 17 years.
Given this pattern, the EH Taylor BTAC bottling will likely feature extended maturation, delivering a complex and refined expression worthy of its storied name.
EH Taylor’s Place in Bourbon History and the BTAC Legacy
The inclusion of EH Taylor Bottled-in-Bond in the BTAC lineup feels long overdue. The brand honors a true bourbon pioneer whose influence helped shape the entire industry’s quality standards. For collectors and bourbon historians alike, this new addition completes a circle—connecting past innovations with present-day craftsmanship.
Of course, acquiring any BTAC release remains notoriously difficult, with high demand and limited availability. Fans and collectors will need patience and perhaps a little luck to get their hands on this latest chapter in Buffalo Trace’s celebrated legacy.
Conclusion
The 2025 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection is poised to be one of the most exciting in years. By welcoming EH Taylor Bottled-in-Bond into its prestigious fold, BTAC pays homage to bourbon’s rich heritage while continuing to deliver exceptional, rare spirits to the world’s most discerning palates.
For those who live and breathe bourbon, the new EH Taylor BTAC release is not just another bottle—it’s a historic event and a tribute to one of the industry’s foundational figures. The countdown to October is on, and anticipation is building.
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