Colonial E.H. Taylor Rye Vs. Frey Ranch Rye

Today we have a matchup of the highly sought-after veteran, Vs the new kid with something to prove! (This post is not in any way sponsored).

These are both 100 proof Bottled in Bond ryes, around the same price, and both in very nice looking packages!
Fancy Glencairn is an OG sort of glass, so she chooses the E.H. Taylor today… Let’s see how the new kid fares!

EHT) $80, 100 proof. High rye, no corn, mashbill from Buffalo Trace.
-The Nose is almost all freshly ground black pepper to me, plus a little cocoa, and if you hunt you’ll find oak spices, and just a hint of pear as well.
-The Palate is initially cinnamon, black pepper, and brown sugar, but then some hints of pear appear, only to quickly disappear in the black pepper again.
-The Finish is medium-long and continues those black pepper and hot cinnamon notes, that then fade into oak, and mint.
Overall, this is a rye that is definitely on the black-pepper-spice side, but does have some complexity to keep it interesting.

Frey Ranch) $65, 100 proof. 100% farm-grown Winter Rye mashbill. This is a true farm-to-bottle dram!
-The Nose is unique and interesting. There is pineapple, orange citrus, ginger, toffee, and leather. I love it!
-The Palate combines spice and fruit. Starting with orange citrus, and ginger, then honey, white pepper, cocoa, and a hint of dill.
-The Finish is medium-long, with the honey sweetness turning into cocoa, pepper, leather, and lingering mint.
Overall this is a complex, interesting, unique pour that I really enjoy!

VERDICT) While E.H. Taylor Rye is a perfectly fine product, it (like many other Buffalo Trace products) is not worth the hype these days… It’s a little too pepper-heavy for my taste. The Frey Ranch on the other hand is very unique and more complex. If I was going to spend more money on another bottle, it would definitely be the Frey Ranch Rye!
Plus, in-person, that bottle is absolutely gorgeous, and heavy with a solid metal stopper! (Swipe left for other photos of this bottle!)
After getting a good look at that bottle, Fancy Glencairn regretted her initial choice…

Have you guys had a chance to try any Frey Ranch?