Taylor Bourbon Barrel Poly Resin Indoor and Outdoor Clock and Thermometer, Home Decor for Garden, Patio, Pool, and Indoor Areas, 14-inch, Multi-Color

Why I brought this onto the patio

I’m picky about outdoor clocks. They have to be readable from across the yard, tough enough to live outside, and attractive enough that they don’t look like an afterthought. The Taylor bourbon barrel clock checks most of those boxes on paper: a 14-inch face, quartz movement, and an integrated thermometer in a poly resin body that’s meant for weather exposure. After several weeks using it on a covered patio and a short stint in full sun, here’s how it stacked up.

Design and first impressions

Out of the box, this is a substantial piece. The poly resin body has real heft and a textured finish that captures the “barrel” theme without veering into kitsch. Multicolored accents are muted enough to blend with brick, wood, and stucco. At 14 inches, the dial is large and legible at a distance—big Arabic numerals, a clean minute track, and high-contrast hands. It looks like outdoor decor first and a utility clock second, which is exactly what I want for a pool or garden area.

The thermometer arc is integrated along the perimeter and reads Fahrenheit only, from -60°F to 120°F. If you live in a Celsius-centric household, that’s a limitation worth noting.

Build quality feels solid where it counts—case, face, and finish. The back housing (where the clock movement and battery sit) is molded plastic. It’s functional but thinner than the body, so I took care when opening and closing the cover.

Setup and mounting

Mounting is straightforward with the built-in hanger. Because the clock has real weight, I recommend:

• Use a stud or masonry screw where possible.
• If you’re on drywall or siding, go with a rated wall anchor—not a simple nail.
• Keep it under an eave or in a shaded alcove if you can. It looks great in direct sun, but that placement has tradeoffs (more on that in a bit).

Power is a single AA battery. A quality alkaline cell has been fine so far; if you plan winter use in very cold climates, a premium battery designed for low temperatures can help maintain performance.

Timekeeping performance

The quartz movement has been accurate. Over the first month I saw a drift of only a couple seconds, on par with decent indoor wall clocks. The hands are well aligned and there’s no rubbing or wobble. It’s also quiet—no noticeable ticking from a few feet away, which matters if you’re using it in a sitting area.

One caveat: during a hot afternoon with the back fully exposed to direct sun, the clock stopped once and resumed later. Moving it to a shaded section of the wall eliminated the issue. Quartz movements and batteries don’t love heat soak, so plan your placement accordingly.

Thermometer accuracy and how to get the best from it

Analog outdoor thermometers are notorious for being “ballpark” rather than lab instruments, and this one is no exception out of the box. Mine initially read high by roughly 10°F. After letting it acclimate indoors for a few hours and comparing to a reliable reference thermometer, I adjusted the indicator and re-hung it in a shaded spot. Since then, readings have been consistently within about 2–4°F of my reference.

A few tips to improve results:

• Avoid direct sun and reflective heat. The face will absorb radiant heat and drive the reading up.
• Allow a few hours for temperature to stabilize after moving it from indoors to outdoors.
• If you can adjust the pointer (many analog units allow this), do a one-time calibration against a known-good thermometer at room temperature.

If you need precise temperature logging, this isn’t that tool. If you just want a quick read on “jacket or no jacket,” it does the job when properly placed.

Weather performance and durability

The finish has held up well against UV and humidity in my testing. After rain and several hot days, colors remain vivid and there’s no chalking or obvious fading. The resin body shrugs off wind and vibration; combined with a proper fastener, it doesn’t rattle or sway. Because of the weight, I would not hang it on flimsy hooks or in areas where a swinging impact could crack siding.

The rear compartment is the weak link. It seals well enough for covered outdoor use, but the plastic door and latch feel delicate. Take your time aligning the cover and don’t force it closed; gentle pressure and correct alignment prevent stress on the movement inside. I’d also avoid over-tightening the mounting screw, which can transmit vibration to the movement.

Readability at a distance

This is where the Taylor shines. The 14-inch size and high-contrast dial make it easy to read from across a patio or pool—20 to 30 feet is no problem. The thermometer scale is smaller but still usable once you’re within a few paces. The hands are visible at dusk under ambient light; at full dark, of course, there’s no illumination.

Everyday usability

• Startup is simple: install the battery, set time, hang, and forget.
• It’s effectively silent, so it won’t intrude on quiet outdoor dinners.
• The style is versatile enough to pair with wood furniture, metal railings, and stone.
• There’s no Celsius, no backlight, and no hygrometer; this is intentionally basic.

Maintenance and battery life

Expect to swap the AA battery annually, perhaps more often if it’s in extreme temperatures. To keep the face looking fresh, an occasional wipe with a damp cloth removes dust and pollen. If you live near the coast or in a high-sun environment, placing it under an overhang will extend the life of the finish and protect the movement from heat spikes and driving rain.

If you ever need support, Taylor backs it with a one-year limited warranty. I had a straightforward experience with their customer service when I asked about placement and care—quick answers, clear guidance.

What I liked

• Attractive, substantial design that reads as decor, not a gadget
• Excellent readability at a distance
• Accurate quartz timekeeping
• Finish that resists fading in typical outdoor exposure
• Simple, universal AA battery power
• Built-in hanger that makes mounting easy (with proper hardware)

What I’d change

• Thermometer needs user calibration and careful placement to be trustworthy
• Back housing feels delicate; it deserves a sturdier door and latch
• Heat management: the movement can balk in direct, intense sun
• Fahrenheit only limits global appeal

Who it’s for

• Homeowners who want a decorative outdoor clock they can see from the pool, deck, or garden
• People who value style and legibility over advanced weather features
• Anyone comfortable with “good enough” temperature at a glance, not scientific accuracy

Who should look elsewhere: if you need tight temperature accuracy, metrics in Celsius, or plan to mount in full, all-day sun with no shade, you’ll be happier with a purpose-built outdoor instrument or a clock rated for extreme heat exposure.

Final recommendation

I recommend the Taylor bourbon barrel clock for patios, porches, and pool areas where you want a durable, good-looking timepiece with a basic temperature readout. It keeps time reliably, looks great, and holds up well when installed in a shaded or semi-protected spot. Just set expectations around the thermometer—calibrate it once, avoid direct sun, and treat the rear cover with care. If precise weather data or full-sun mounting is your priority, consider alternatives; otherwise, this is a charming, functional addition to outdoor living spaces.