The Birth of a Legend

In this week's episode, we will uncover the untold story of bourbon's most influential figure - a mystery icon who revolutionized the industry and earned him the central spot on bourbon's Mt. Rushmore. His name is on bottles around the world, but the dramatic tale of rivalries, financial turmoil, and relentless innovation behind his rise is a story few truly know.  We'll explore how this pioneer's vision and bold decisions forever changed whiskey making, and along the way, we'll visit some legendary distilleries still standing today - monuments to his legacy - as he either owned or worked at seven different distilleries. Tune in to find out this man's identity.

Thank you for listening to Bourbon: Legends from the Trail, where history meets flavor and every bottle has a story to tell. Cheers to the stores and legends behind the Spirit! Please leave a rating and review as it will help me plan future episodes.

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 2:55 A Bourbon Legend is Born
• 5:48 From Banker to Bourbon
• 8:53 A Legendary Distillery is Created
• 13:09 Saved From Financial Ruin By Another Legend
• 16:49 Ahead of His Time, A Masterpiece Created
• 22:10 The First Government Food Act, Bottled In Bond

Transcript

In the world of bourbon, where legends are crafted and myths take their roots, one name rises above the rest. Indeed, if there were a Mount Rushmore for the pioneers of bourbon, his likeness would be etched in stone, standing proudly for all to see. He is a figure that true bourbon enthusiasts instantly recognize, perhaps even knowing fragments of his storied life. To others, his name may sound familiar because of the highly successful bourbon brand that bears it, yet few fully grasp the monumental influence he wields over almost every bottle of bourbon produced today, no matter the distillery. His life was a saga of intense rivalries, financial upheavals, and an unwavering quest for perfection in the art of making bourbon. He was a man undeterred, forging a path against all odds that would ultimately earn him the title…..The Father of Modern Bourbon. Was he a visionary? Without a doubt. Was he a fighter? He absolutely was. Did he single-handedly alter the course of bourbon history…. Well, like no one before or since. As we delve into his past and unravel the truths of his story, we will uncover a legacy that transcends time, and continues to shape the very soul of bourbon to this day.

Who is this man, this LEGEND? Well, his name is Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr., though to most, he is known simply as Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr.

Now it is time to grab your favorite bottle, pop the cork, pour yourself a glass, and settle into your favorite spot. 

Welcome to “Bourbon: Legends from the Trail,” where history meets flavor, and every bottle has a story to tell.

Our story begins in 1830, in the quiet town of Columbus, Kentucky, where Edmund Haynes Taylor was born to John and Rebecca Taylor. From the very start, young Edmund faced adversity when his father succumbed to the disease of typhus, leaving him fatherless at a tender age. In the wake of this tragedy, Edmund’s mother feared that he needed a strong fatherly influence, so she sent him away to New Orleans to live with his great uncle, a distant relative whose influence would not only shape Edmund’s destiny but also the future of an entire industry. That relative was none other than “Old Rough and Ready” himself, General Zachary Taylor. During his great uncle’s absences—whether away tending to military affairs or fulfilling his duties in Washington after being elected President—young Edmund attended an all-boys school, where he honed a sharp intellect and developed a remarkable social acumen. Yet fate came and dealt another cruel hand when President Taylor unexpectedly died in 1850 from a mysterious stomach ailment. Edmund then packed his bags and returned to Kentucky, where he was taken in by his uncle, Edmund Haynes Taylor, a prominent banker and businessman in Frankfort, KY…. and yes he had the same exact name.  To distinguish himself from his uncle, Edmund began using “Junior” after his name. This period of his life immersed him in the world of finance and commerce, nurturing his budding ambition and sharpening his business instincts from an early age.

Now, Edmund’s lineage boasted more than just one illustrious figure; through his mother’s side, he was also a descendant of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. These connections infused him with a profound sense of duty and legacy while also providing access to influential circles and opportunities that would serve him well in both banking and the burgeoning whiskey industry. Edmund was, by every measure, an aristocrat molded by privilege and pedigree.

Though it might seem that he was destined for bourbon greatness from birth, Taylor’s education and early career did not immediately steer him toward whiskey. While he enjoyed a good pour like anybody else, his initial career path followed in his uncle’s footsteps in banking. This early fascination in the world of finance equipped him with a keen understanding of business management and operational strategy, skills that as we will see, would later prove invaluable. However, the allure of whiskey was irresistible. As Taylor negotiated numerous business deals with men in the whiskey trade, the fascination of the industry captured his imagination, steering him ever so toward the world that would come to define his legacy.

In the 1850s, Edmund, known around Frankfort as a well-respected banker with an eye for opportunity, found his interest in whiskey growing into a burning passion. Driven by this newfound desire, Taylor began to transition from the world of finance to the world of whiskey. He started working with Gaines and Company, a prominent distilling firm, immersing himself in the hands-on experience of the industry. His time there provided him with a deep understanding of distilling techniques and the intricate complexities of whiskey production. Yet, Taylor knew there was more to learn. So to expand his growing knowledge, he set out on a journey overseas, visiting the storied distilleries of Scotland, Ireland, and England, where he studied their methods of distillation. He then ventured to Germany to learn from the breweries and to Italy to study the art of winemaking. Armed with the wisdom he gleaned from these travels, Taylor returned to the United States with a singular conviction: COPPER, copper was the key to superior distilling. The use of copper stills and copper fermenters, he believed, was essential to producing the highest quality spirits. It was at this point that Taylor made a decisive move, hanging up his banker’s hat for good and plunging fully into bourbon production. Though he had the connections to join any distillery of his choosing, Taylor’s ambition was clear—he wanted to build a distillery of his own where he could implement his innovative ideas.

So in 1867, Taylor established his first distillery, naming it “The Hermitage”, after the famed home of his great uncle Zachary Taylor’s good friend Andrew Jackson. However, always in search of improvement, he soon set out to find a better location. In 1869, he found the perfect spot just outside of Frankfort, along the banks of the Kentucky River, in a little place called Leestown. Taylor purchased the Leestown Distillery and renamed it the Old Fire Copper Distillery, or as it has become famously known, the O.F.C. This move marked a significant turning point in Taylor’s career, as he became deeply involved in every aspect of bourbon production. Committed to crafting high-quality whiskey, Taylor introduced several pioneering practices, one being the use of copper with his fermentation tanks and column stills, and another where he refined the use of the sour mash technique that originally had been introduced by Dr. James Crow. He also did something that no other distiller had done before, he implemented a steam heating system into his rickhouses. This now allowed him to regulate temperature inside and control the aging process. Under Taylor’s leadership, O.F.C. bourbon quickly rose to prominence, becoming the best-selling bourbon in the country at the time.

As Taylor’s success in the bourbon industry grew, so did his circle of friends, many of whom were fellow distillers. One such friend was Oscar Pepper, who had inherited his father, Elijah’s, distillery and then renamed it the Oscar Pepper Distillery, Oscar’s distillery was located about 18 miles away from the Colonel’s in Versailles, Kentucky (or “Versailles,” if you are French). Sadly, Oscar fell ill and passed away, leaving the distillery to his young son, James. With James being too young to run the distillery, his mother took control, much to James’s frustration as he was already nearing the age of adulthood. So eager to regain control, James reached out to Taylor and asked for help. Together, they successfully took back the distillery from James’ mother, with James now assuming ownership of the distillery and Taylor coming on board as a financial backer.

Though Taylor seemed to be on top of the bourbon world, not all of his ventures met with success. His ambitious projects and expansive vision often led to financial overreach. Taylor frequently borrowed money to fund his distillery improvements and expansions, leaving him vulnerable to financial instability. The volatile market and speculative investments eventually caught up with him, leading to severe financial troubles. By the 1870s, Taylor’s creditors, including the powerful W.B. Saffell banking house, began calling in their loans. Unable to meet these demands, Taylor found himself in a precarious situation as he was about to lose everything he had worked so hard to build.  Taylor then began to look for a way out.

It was during this period of his financial distress that two men, who ran a highly successful spirits distributing firm in St. Louis, took notice. These two men had profited handsomely from selling O.F.C. bourbon, and one of them approached Taylor with an offer he couldn’t refuse. The man agreed to purchase the O.F.C. Distillery along with some of Taylor’s other holdings, providing the funds needed for Taylor to alleviate his financial woes. In return, they asked Taylor to stay on as the master distiller and continue to be the marketing face of the O.F.C. You probably will recognize the name of this man who orchestrated the deal. It is the name of another highly thought of bourbon, his name… was George T. Stagg.  Not only did Stagg gain control of the O.F.C. Distillery in the deal, but he also acquired the Oscar Pepper Distillery and another distillery that Taylor had helped get started, the J. Swigert Taylor Distillery, owned by Edmund’s oldest son.

The partnership between Taylor and Stagg could have been a powerhouse, combining Taylor’s expertise in bourbon making and his marketing skills with Stagg’s financial acumen and business sense. However, the partnership was plagued with tension not long after the transition. Taylor, having built the O.F.C. Distillery, had strong opinions about its operation, while Stagg, as the new owner, had different ideas on the direction the OFC should be going. Their disagreements escalated into frequent arguments, many times in public where the employees witnessed heated verbal battles. Eventually, their mutual animosity grew so intense that they ultimately decided to part ways for good. Even today, if you visit the former O.F.C. Distillery, their portraits hang side by side, but their eyes are looking in opposite directions, as even in death they still cannot stand the sight of each other.

This setback was a significant blow to Taylor, both financially and personally. Despite his innovative contributions and unwavering commitment to quality, his business sense did not always align with his visionary ambitions. Losing the distillery marked a challenging chapter in his life, but it did not extinguish his passion for bourbon. Throughout his life, Taylor was involved with or owned seven distilleries, including the ones we just mentioned.  The OFC and the Oscar Pepper Distillery would go on to reach legendary status. You see, the OFC distillery, well today you know it as… Buffalo Trace.  And the Oscar Pepper Distillery, today it is known as… Woodford Reserve. 

As Taylor was making his plans to leave the O.F.C. Distillery, he decided that he wasn’t going to just sit idle; he immediately began thinking of new avenues within the whiskey industry. His thoughts turned to the J. Swigert Distillery, which had been owned by his oldest son. Taylor knew the distillery had been included in the sale to George T. Stagg and that created a problem. So as the final papers dissolving Stagg and Taylor’s partnership were coming to a close, Taylor managed to negotiate a deal with Stagg, allowing his son to retain ownership of the distillery. With this success, Edmund and J. Swigert Taylor became partners, and with the new partnership, they changed the name of the distillery to the Old Taylor Distillery.

Now free from his financial burdens, Taylor was ready to move forward, creating exceptional bourbon with the distinct quality for which he was known. This fresh start allowed Edmund to breathe new life into the long-held visions that had been simmering in his mind. Always ahead of his time, he recognized the potential allure of a visitor’s experience at their distillery. He believed that people’s natural curiosity would drive them to want to visit and witness the bourbon-making process firsthand, while hopefully sampling the fruits of their craft. With this vision, Taylor set out to transform their distillery, that sat right on the banks of Glenn’s Creek, into a destination. He had marvelous gardens created around the distillery, filled with vibrant flowers and shrubs. He included walking trails that wove through the grounds and picnic tables for visitors to enjoy. Since the distillery was not easy to get to, he came up with an even grander scheme.  He contacted the local railroad line in Versailles, and convinced them to extend a track from the town directly out to the distillery, this would allow it to be even more accessible to the public. Yet, despite all these great ideas and efforts, Taylor knew there was still something missing—he needed a unique element that would set his distillery apart from all others and captivate visitors’ imaginations.

Then, inspiration struck. Reflecting on his travels to Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and England—an idea took shape in his mind. He envisioned a structure that would not only house the distillery, but also become a regional landmark, a place people would talk about for hundreds of miles around. And so, Taylor’s masterpiece was born. Picture sitting on a passenger train, filled with eager families, making your way to a place you have heard about and cannot believe exists. As the train makes its way, rolling through the lush countryside, you enter under a tunnel of trees, chugging ever closer towards a day of picnicking along Glenn’s Creek and a hopeful taste of world-class bourbon. Then you begin to feel it, the anticipation of what you have longed to see since first hearing about it. As you look ahead, you see that just beyond the end of the canopy of trees, there is a clearing. And as the train rounds a final, gentle curve, Taylor’s grand vision, his masterpiece comes into view—there, standing tall amidst the most beautiful garden you have ever seen and reaching up into the clear blue sky is….a CASTLE, Today, you can still make this journey, albeit, not on a train, but in a car.  As you approach, under the same canopy of trees, and you move around the bend into the clearing, there the castle stands, like a silent sentinel to the past.  Above the castle door, still etched in the stone, is the name The Old Taylor Distillery, only today it is known as Castle and Key.

But does Colonel EH Taylor’s story end there? Far from it.

With the Old Taylor Distillery thriving and gaining recognition, Edmund continued to be a vocal advocate for elevating the standards of the bourbon industry. One of his most significant contributions during this time was his role in the passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. This pioneering piece of legislation set a federal standard for bourbon production.(and a topic that will be a future LEGEND episode we will visit) It mandated that bourbon be made by one distiller, at one distillery clearly marked on the label, during a one distilling season, aged for a minimum of four years, bottled at exactly 100 proof, and stored in a federally bonded warehouse. This act provided consumers with a seal of authenticity and quality, safeguarding them from the widespread adulteration and mislabeling that plagued the industry in those days.

Taylor’s advocacy for the Bottled-in-Bond Act, underscored his lifelong commitment to integrity and excellence in whiskey production. The act not only protected consumers but also helped solidify bourbon’s reputation as a premier American spirit. This legislation remains a fundamental aspect of bourbon production even today, a lasting testament to Taylor’s enduring influence on the industry.

Colonel E.H. Taylor’s impact on bourbon production is immeasurable. Even in the face of financial turmoil and the loss of his beloved O.F.C., Taylor's innovative spirit and passionate advocacy left a lasting imprint on the craft of bourbon-making. His unwavering commitment to quality redefined standards and elevated the reputation of bourbon, not just within the United States, but across the globe.

The old O.F.C. Distillery, known today as Buffalo Trace, still upholds Taylor’s legacy by producing exceptional bourbon under various brands, including the esteemed Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. line. Each bottle serves as a tribute to the man whose name has become synonymous with quality, integrity, and authenticity in the whiskey world.

Taylor’s life journey ended in 1923, during the era of Prohibition, but the legacy he left behind continues to shape the bourbon industry. His life stands as a testament to the power of innovation, resilience, and an unyielding pursuit of perfection. Today, bourbon enthusiasts everywhere celebrate Colonel E.H. Taylor’s enduring contributions to the world of bourbon, honoring the trail that he blazed and the standards that he set.

So, raise your glass with me in a toast. Here’s to you, Colonel! Thank you for your visionary gifts, your unwavering passion, and your relentless perseverance. The bourbon world is forever in your debt!

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Thanks for joining me on this flavorful journey through time and taste....Cheers to the stories behind the spirit.

I am your host, writer, and producer...Travis Hounshell and THIS is Bourbon: Legends from the Trail.

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1. https://sippinghistory.com/2022/03/03/colonel-e-h-taylor-jr-biography/

2. https://www.thespiritseducator.com/colonel-eh-taylor

3. https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/colonel-edmund-h-taylor-jr#google_vignette

4. Music provided by Pixabay.com