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Colonel EH Taylor 4 Grain 12yo is ‘world’s best whisky’

Whisky expert Jim Murray has named Colonel EH Taylor 4 Grain Bottled in Bond Aged 12 Years as the ‘world’s best whisky’ in his new Whisky Bible 2018.

Murray has crowned Buffalo Trace’s Colonel E.H. Taylor 4 Grain Bottled in Bond Aged 12 Years as ‘world’s best whisky’

Described as “sheer undiluted beauty”, the whisky scored 97.5 out of 100, and boasts a finish that Murray described as a “slow, lightly oiled, gently spiced chocolate fade which goes on… and on”.

The expression from Buffalo Trace gives a nod to the four grains – corn, rye, wheat and malted barley – that the Bourbon maker worked with during the 19th century.

He added: “Nothing could match the astonishing beauty of its surprisingly delicate weight and complexity combined. It was though time stood still in the tasting room; I just knew…”

Buffalo Trace recently discovered the long-lost remains of Colonel Taylor’s O.F.C distillery, which stood on the same spot in Frankfort, Kentucky, until ravaged by fire in 1872.

Buffalo Trace president Mark Brown said: “We are beyond excited. The timing could not coincide more perfectly with the recent discovery of Taylor’s original distillery.”

Second place went to Redbreast Aged 21 Years – the best result for an Irish entrant in Whisky Bible history and only the second time that Ireland has made the top three.

Scoring 97 out of 100, Murray praised the pure pot still expression for having “one of the most wonderful noses on this planet” which helps make it “one of the world’s most beautiful and iconic whisk(e)ys”.

While in third place and following its second place finish last year was Glen Grant Aged 18 Years Rare Edition, with 97 points.

Last year, Booker’s Rye 13 Year Old claimed the top accolade of the ‘world’s best whisky’ in Murray’s Whisky Bible 2017.

Keep your eyes peeled for Jim Murray’s regional winners – revealed online next week.

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