While downing Moscow Mules like they were somehow back in fashion, we completely neglected Bottled In Bond Day yesterday.
Sure, some might think that Bottled In Bond (BIB) is antiquated and its assurance of quality unnecessary but no matter how you view it, BIB does still retain a certain gravitas. And as far as Buffalo Trace and country singer Chris Stapleton are concerned, nothing embodies BIB better than Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr
Now in case you do not know, Taylor is a man considered by most as the founding father of the modern Bourbon industry, he was a man who championed copper tank fermentation and heat-cycling warehouses.
Taylor was an innovator but more importantly, he was also one of the leading lobbyists for the passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897.
In case you haven’t come across the words Bottled In Bond before, we have a great article that delves into the history of BIB. But to summarise, it is a system defined by 100-proof whiskey, born of a single distilling season and aged for a minimum of four years. All federal government guaranteed.
So what’s this all got to do with Buffalo Trace and singer Chris Stapleton? Well, Taylor’s century-old warehouses now belong to Buffalo Trace, and every year they raise a glass to the man by releasing a “Bottled in Bond Day” commemorative edition E. H. Taylor, Jr Single Barrel.
One special barrel was hand-picked by the team at Buffalo Trace Distillery, the contents being bottled and made available through musician Chris Stapleton’s charitable fund, Outlaw State of Kind. Each bottle will be autographed by Chris Stapleton.
Initial bottles will be used to support disaster relief in Texas, hit hard by a major winter storm, and Eastern Kentucky, experiencing devastating floods. These initial bottles are available for bidding on the online charity auction Charitybuzz and can be viewed here.
The remaining bottles will be used throughout the year to raise funds for a variety of charities across the country. Updates on subsequent fundraisers will be posted to Outlaw State of Kind.
“We’ve very excited to partner with Chris Stapleton and Outlaw State of Kind,” said Joshua Steely, E.H. Taylor, Jr. brand director. “We knew Chris was a big fan of E. H. Taylor, Jr., so we thought this was a perfect way to commemorate Bottled in Bond Day, by partnering with his charitable fund so fans of both his music and our bourbon can help out needy causes across the country through the various events and auctions that will be held throughout the year.”
Chris Stapleton added, “The first glass of E. H. Taylor, Jr. I ever had was in the studio. Vance Powell, engineer of both music & good times, brought a bottle to the session for inspiration. That week we recorded an entire album, and that album was Traveller. We’ve made it a point to keep a bottle around ever since.
PIN ITChris Stapleton
“So when E. H. Taylor, Jr. approached us to partner up for an exclusive bottling in celebration of Bottled in Bond Day, it seemed like a natural fit since they were already a part of our musical journey.
“Together we’ve decided to use the occasion to give back to the communities that have been the real magic in both of our stories. The challenges of these times have left many in need, and we’re honoured to help address some of these needs through this partnership.
“Proceeds from the first batch of bottles to be auctioned off will go to natural disaster relief in Texas & Kentucky.”
The E. H. Taylor, Jr Single Barrel was distilled at Buffalo Trace Distillery and put in the barrel on January 5, 2012. Bottled in early February, this bourbon is nine years old, and like the act, its namesake fought so hard to pass, is Bottled in Bond at 100 proof.
Some say that BIB is a consistent mark of quality that is as important in the 21st century as it was in the 19th. We just think that as a term, it’s rather fun to say.
For more information, go to chrisstapleton.com
