Elijah Craig Barrel Proof “Batch B524” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

750ml $69.99

The old stalwart from Elijah Craig released originally more than 10 years ago has become a standard barrier for the category. Heaven Hill does three small batch cask strength releases of their finest well aged stock a year and while they’ve recently deviated from the previous 12-year-old standard, the whiskies are no less impressive at 11 or 13 years old. In fact, some of these slightly younger batches will remind you very quickly that older isn’t always better in bourbon. Clocking in at a modest 11 years and 2 months, you’d be hard pressed to perceive the slightly lower age statement had it not been disclosed. Dense, big and powerful, this extremely well-made bourbon is the benchmark for quality and price in the industry. Clocking in at an inviting 130.6 proof, every single lover of full-strength bourbon will be satisfied after just one sip of this excellent new batch.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 19, 2024

As Heaven Hill’s competitors continue to increase the prices of even younger casks strength stocks, Elijah Craigs full bore explosiveness and everyday consistency offers an respite from madness elsewhere in the category. And while the taters and flippers might skip this batch because it doesn’t show the big age statement, the rest of us proper drinkers will be quietly enjoying another excellent batch of ECBP. It’s difficult to point to a better bourbon on the shelf under $70 from any producer and as long as you’re initiated into the cask strength club, there’s little risk of not liking this one. Let’s have a taste. The color is a typical deep auburn (1.5). The nose is extremely approachable right off the neck pour but absolutely loves air. Dense caramel sauce, brown sugar syrup, deep roasted oak spice, candied almonds, toasted vanilla bean. Keeps opening and giving with air and time. This is some of the bourboniest bourbon I’ve bourboned in some time. Behind the sweet sugar and oak, flecks of cinnamon, ancient furniture, varnish and stewed plums. On the palate, it’s got surprising lift and gorgeous fruitiness up front. The supple texture is the hallmark here and the dark woody character of the nose does not translate into bitterness or harsh tannin. That said a beautiful building spice takes over after the surprisingly refreshing front and warms the entire body perfectly. This is just really solid in every way. It doesn’t color outside thelines, but honestly we never asked it. It’s an absolute joy to drink and although it’s completely familiar in everyway it’s still exciting from the first nosing to the long lingering finish. Anyone who poopoos this batch for not being 13 years old hasn’t given it a fair shake.

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