For the bourbon drinker who wants nothing held back, there’s Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof, an uncut, unfiltered powerhouse that we’re proud to pour at Camp West, our cabin-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant in the West Seattle Junction. Bottled straight from the barrel, it captures whiskey the way it was made in the days before Prohibition. It’s an allocated, high-octane treat for the serious West Seattle whiskey crowd.
About the Distillery
Like the rest of the E.H. Taylor lineup, this bourbon is made at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, honoring Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr., a pivotal figure in American whiskey history and an early owner of the distillery. The barrels are drawn from warehouses Taylor helped build more than a century ago, and the whiskey is meant to reflect the bold, full-strength character of his era.
Style & Mash Bill
This is a Kentucky straight bourbon bottled uncut and unfiltered at full barrel strength, which lands at over 125 proof and varies from batch to batch. Skipping both dilution and chill filtration means you get the whiskey exactly as it came out of the cask. It’s built on Buffalo Trace’s low-rye Mash Bill #1, the same recipe behind the Single Barrel, so the extra power sits on a familiar, rounded foundation.
Tasting Notes
The nose offers cooked berries, rich caramel, and a slightly floral note. The palate is bold and full, with toasty vanilla, dried oak, and assertive pepper spice filling the mouth. The finish is long and powerful, with a strong rye character and lingering hints of fruit. A few drops of water open it up dramatically.
How to Enjoy It at Camp West
Given its strength, we suggest sipping this one neat in a Glencairn with a small splash of water to tame the heat and unlock the aromatics, or over a large rock if you prefer it slowly mellowed. A pour runs $29 and is firmly in special-occasion territory. This is a sipper, not a mixer, so take your time.
FAQ
What does barrel proof mean? It means the whiskey is bottled at the strength it reached in the barrel, without dilution. For this bottling that’s over 125 proof, and the exact number varies by batch.
Should I add water? With a whiskey this strong, a few drops of water can soften the heat and reveal more flavor. It’s a matter of taste, so experiment.
Come in and pour something bold. Book a table, browse our full whiskey list, or explore the complete beverage menu.