Elijah Craig Barrel Proof “Batch B523” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($69.99)

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: July 19, 2023

A controversial release in the Elijah Craig pantheon, B523 is the first to be released under 12 years old. At 11 years and 5 months, it’s close enough for my palate. Like all ECBP, it’s uncut—bottled straight from the barrel without chill-filtration—and still delivers one of the best values out of Kentucky. This cask-strength batch comes in at 124.2 proof and delivers intense oak, sweet caramel, candied apples, and miles of vanilla, all with the punch and heat you’d expect from a full-proof bottling. To me, the standout difference in this release is a distinct peanut brittle note. It’s much nuttier than many releases and strikes me more like an older and higher-proof version of the excellent Heaven Hill 7 year. I, like most whiskey drinkers, love to see an age statement, but most of all, I care about how a whiskey tastes … and I’ll be damned if this isn’t just as delicious as I’d expect from Elijah Craig. It now fits more in line with their other premium brands like Old Fitz, which has a moving target age statement but is always an incredibly good premium pour.

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