The Old Taylor Tour at Buffalo Trace: The Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Story

What it is: The 75-minute focused tour on one man’s legacy. Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. was the 19th-century distiller who invented warehouse management, quality control, and the idea that bourbon could carry a signature. This tour traces his story through the distillery he built.

Length75 minutes (same as Trace Tour)

FocusColonel E.H. Taylor Jr. and bourbon history

TastingComplimentary, guided, four pours, gift shop

Best forHistory buffs, returning visitors, second bourbon day

Difficulty to bookMedium; harder than Trace, easier than Hard Hat

Age requirementAll ages welcome; under-21s cannot taste

Planning your visit?Timed slots are limited, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before. Reserve today, decide later.

Check ticket availability

Who was Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr.

In the 1880s, bourbon had no standard. Distillers cut it with water or other spirits. Bottles bore no dates. Quality was whatever you could get away with. Taylor believed bourbon should be pure, consistent, and aged in barrels built to his specification. He invented warehouse management. He pushed for straight bourbon standards. He built a distillery that still bears his mark, because he ran it with the kind of attention most business owners reserve for money. The Colonel was a businessman who cared about bourbon the way some people care about wine. That obsession is why his distillery survived Prohibition and why Buffalo Trace still exists.

This tour versus the Trace Tour

The Trace Tour covers the whole distillery and all its brands. This tour narrows to one story: Taylor’s work, his warehouse innovations, his push for purity, and how that shaped modern bourbon. Same 75 minutes, same complimentary tasting, different angle. If you have been to the Trace Tour and want to see the distillery again with a different frame, this is the reason to return. If this is your first Buffalo Trace tour and you already know about bourbon history, this one will dig deeper than the Trace Tour will.

Versus the Hard Hat Tour

This tour is 75 minutes; the Hard Hat is 105. This one is history; the Hard Hat is production science. This one is about a man who lived 150 years ago; the Hard Hat is about why barrels are where they are right now. Difficulty-wise, this one is easier to get than the Hard Hat but not as easy as the Trace Tour.

What to do if you want the history angle and this tour is sold out

Book the paid Bourbon Trail day trip ($233, 8 hours, Thursday itinerary only). It includes three distilleries and real bourbon history at every stop, plus the Frazier History Museum. Or pick the three-distillery custom tour ($250) and ask the operator for history-focused stops.

Check availability & book

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure on most tours — book now, decide later.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Old Taylor Tour about?

Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr., the 19th-century distiller who invented warehouse management and pushed for quality standards. This tour traces his legacy through the distillery he built.

Is it the same as the Trace Tour?

Same length (75 minutes) and same complimentary tasting, but different focus. Trace is the full distillery story; this is one man’s impact on bourbon. Both see the grounds and end with a tasting.

When should I book this instead of the Trace Tour?

If you are returning to Buffalo Trace and want a different angle. If you already know about bourbon history. Or if the Hard Hat is sold out and you want the history angle anyway.

How hard is it to get?

Medium. Easier than the Hard Hat (which is under 2 minutes), harder than the Trace Tour. Usually available longer into a Wednesday morning.

Can under-21s join?

Yes, but they cannot taste. If that matters to your group, book with adults only or choose a family-friendly paid tour.