Description
Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. “Warehouse C Tornado Surviving” Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey 750ML is a limited-release, Bottled-in-Bond bourbon at 100 proof (50% ABV) in a 750ml bottle from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Born from barrels that survived a direct tornado strike on Warehouse C in 2006, this expression stands as one of the most unusual origin stories in American whiskey a circumstance no distiller could replicate on purpose.
Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof) | Origin: Central Kentucky, USA | Aged ~1012 Years | Distillery: Buffalo Trace | Bottled-in-Bond
Production & Heritage
Buffalo Trace Distillery, one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in the United States, produced this bourbon using its Mash Bill #1 approximately 89.5% corn, 7% rye, and 3.5% malted barley, the same grain recipe behind much of the Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. lineup. What separates this release entirely is the accident that shaped it. In 2006, a tornado tore through Warehouse C, ripping off substantial portions of the roof and exposing nearly 24,000 barrels to open sky. During the extended repair period, those barrels endured sweltering Kentucky summers, freezing winters, rain, and wild temperature swings conditions that dramatically accelerated and altered the maturation process. By the time the surviving liquid was selected and bottled, the barrels had aged between roughly 9 years and 8 months to nearly 12 years, producing a bourbon with unusual depth and complexity that no controlled aging regimen could duplicate.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Dried fig emerges first, followed by warm cloves, baking spice, and seasoned oak. There is an underlying richness that hints at the concentrated aging these barrels experienced.
Taste: The entry is fruit-forward with ripe black raspberry and mulberry, quickly layered with vanilla, maple syrup, and a wisp of smoke. The mid-palate broadens into oak resin, dates, soft leather, and a spice medley of mint, cinnamon, and clove. Butterscotch and toasted nuts surface as the bourbon opens up, reinforcing its full-bodied character.
Finish: A spicy, warming finish carries cinnamon and clove alongside a distinct touch of tobacco. The length is impressive, lingering well past the swallow and leaving a lasting, slightly smoky final impression.
How to Drink Warehouse C Tornado Surviving
Neat is the definitive way to experience this bourbon. A few drops of water can open up the dried fruit and butterscotch notes further, but ice risks muting its layered complexity. Given its rarity, cocktail use is uncommon, though the bourbon’s robust 100-proof backbone would stand up in spirit-forward preparations. An Old Fashioned highlights the maple syrup and baking spice beautifully. A Boulevardier plays well against the bourbon’s dark fruit and leather notes. A simple Whiskey Sour leverages the full body and extended finish without burying its character.
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Warehouse C Tornado Surviving taste like? It delivers a full-bodied profile led by dark fruit black raspberry, mulberry, and dates woven with maple syrup, vanilla, butterscotch, and soft leather. The finish is spicy and tobacco-tinged with notable length.
How does Warehouse C Tornado Surviving compare to E.H. Taylor Small Batch? Both use Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 and are Bottled-in-Bond at 100 proof, but the Tornado Surviving barrels underwent uncontrolled exposure to open-air elements for an extended period, producing a noticeably deeper, more complex bourbon with amplified dark fruit, smoke, and oak character that the Small Batch does not exhibit.
Is Warehouse C Tornado Surviving good for sipping neat? Absolutely despite its 100 proof, it drinks remarkably smoothly with enough layered complexity to reward slow, attentive sipping over the course of a full glass.
Where is Warehouse C Tornado Surviving made? It is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, in the heart of Central Kentucky’s bourbon country. The barrels aged in the distillery’s historic Warehouse C.
What foods pair well with Warehouse C Tornado Surviving? Smoked brisket complements its tobacco and leather notes. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the dried fruit richness. Aged Gouda echoes the butterscotch and caramel. Pecan pie harmonizes with the toasted nut and maple character. A charcuterie board with cured meats matches the bourbon’s spice and depth.
What sizes does Warehouse C Tornado Surviving come in? This expression was released in the standard 750ml bottle size.
Is Warehouse C Tornado Surviving worth the price? As a one-time, unrepeatable limited release from Buffalo Trace, it positions firmly in the ultra-premium collector tier. Its value reflects both its rarity the product of a literal natural disaster and the genuinely distinctive flavor profile that resulted from conditions no distillery would intentionally create.
Why Warehouse C Tornado Surviving?
No amount of innovation or investment can recreate what happened to Warehouse C in 2006. The tornado that tore through Buffalo Trace exposed nearly 24,000 barrels to years of uncontrolled Kentucky weather, and the surviving bourbon carries that story in every sip amplified dark fruit, concentrated oak, and a smoky spice character that goes well beyond what standard warehouse aging achieves. Whisky Advocate praised it as “the gentlest, most even-keeled” of the early Taylor releases, noting its remarkable drinkability at 100 proof and its depth of character spanning black raspberry, maple syrup, dates, and layered spice. For collectors and enthusiasts, this bottle represents a genuine piece of bourbon history that cannot be replicated the rare instance where nature, not the distiller, dictated the outcome.
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