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Episode 468 November 5, 2025 · 37:50
468. E.H. Taylor's Rule of the Regions

468. E.H. Taylor's Rule of the Regions

Todd goes solo with Remus Experimental No. 1, Oak Lure Story Series No. 2, a mountain of bourbon news, and a rare 1909 essay by Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. read in full.

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Tasting Notes

Show Notes

Todd Ritter flies solo this week on The Bourbon Road, holding down the fort while Jim Shannon is out of town. Todd brings the energy with a packed episode featuring a stack of bourbon news, two quality pours, and a special deep dive into history — a newly rediscovered 1909 essay written by Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. himself, unearthed from the University of Kentucky archives. It's a fascinating window into the mind of one of bourbon's founding fathers, and a treat for any whiskey history nerd.

On the Tasting Mat:

  • Remus Master Distillers Experimental Series No. 1: A 9-year-old, 107-proof bourbon from MGP/Ross & Squibb, aged in lightly charred and heavily toasted Seguin Moreau French cooperage barrels — seasoned outdoors for 24 months before coopering. The nose opens with big vanilla and a subtle wine-like funkiness, with hints of fig and dark baking spices. On the palate it's soft and velvety with toasted marshmallow, chocolate, and a background note of red wine. The finish turns sweeter, offering candied pecan and walnut with a warming allspice kick. Retails for $79.99. (00:02:09)
  • Oak Lure Story Series No. 2 — Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish Four Grain Bourbon: A blend of 5-to-6-year-old bourbons from Oak Lure out of Matthews, North Carolina, built on a four-grain mash bill of 70% corn, 10% rye, 10% wheat, and 10% malted barley, proofed at 95 and finished in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks for 12–18 months. The color carries a gorgeous ruby tinge. The nose brings raisin, wine notes, caramel, and vanilla. On the palate it's soft and approachable with black cherry, cocoa, a sherry-driven nuttiness, dark fruits, and a sweetness that carries through to the finish. Retails around $49.99–$59.99. (01:18:39)

News highlights this episode include: Los Lantern's Fall 2025 Scotch Lovers Collection launching November 12th; Wyoming Whiskey's Buffalo Bill Cody Bourbon expanding nationwide; Jim Beam's new Hardin's Creek Mushroom, Beaver, and Owl releases; Jack Daniel's Distillery Series No. 15 sweet mash Tennessee whiskey; the full 2025 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection including the brand-new E.H. Taylor Bottled-in-Bond addition; Buffalo Trace's 9-millionth barrel milestone; Chicken Cock's Miller's Reserve American Whiskey; Town Branch's 16-year-old Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Single Malt Archive Series Vol. 2; and the big headline — Kirin putting Four Roses Distillery up for sale for approximately $1 billion.

The second half closes with Todd reading Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr.'s remarkable 1909 essay, "The Rule of the Regions," written for the Louisville Times 25th Anniversary Edition — touching on Kentucky water, barrel storage, the Bottled-in-Bond Act, and Taylor's bold claim that the finest Kentucky bourbons outclass Scotch and Irish whiskey. The essay was discovered in the UK archives by friends of author Brian Hara, who is writing a forthcoming book on E.H. Taylor.

Subscribe, leave a review, and join the Bourbon Roadies Facebook group to keep the conversation going. Find Jim and Todd at thebourbonroad.com.

Full Transcript

Remus Master Distillers Experimental Series MGP Ross and Squibb Seguin Moreau barrels Oak Lure Oloroso sherry finish four grain bourbon EH Taylor Bottled in Bond Buffalo Trace Antique Collection George T Stagg William LaRue Weller Eagle Rare 17 Hardin's Creek Wyoming Whiskey Buffalo Bill Cody Four Roses for sale Kirin Los Lantern American single malt Jack Daniels sweet mash Town Branch single malt bourbon history