While not an OMG experience, it is a rock-solid bourbon and almost a steal at $60 for a barrel proof bottling.
Notes: Heaven Hill is a distillery with a relatively long history with quite a few bourbons in its portfolio, a number of them dating back to the beginning of the company, but a number of exciting new bourbons and special editions of their older lines are generating a lot of interest (and new respect) in the bourbon community. Some of the most notable of the new series are the limited editions of the Parker Heritage Series (reviews of Number 7, Number 8, and Number 9 ) the new Larceny Bourbon (an extension/expression from the Old Fitzgerald line), and The Bernheim Wheat Whisky
Their other bourbons include of course the Heaven Hill series, the Elijah Craig 12 ( IMHO one of the perennial best buys in a bourbon), and the Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old. Some other lines of bourbons they produce are the Evan Williams line and the Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage series they have released every year ( 2000 Vintage, 2002 Vintage, 2003 Vintage, 2004 Vintage, and the New Make Series of unaged distillate (Rye and Corn),
This is particular bottle is part of the ongoing Barrel Proof Series, all of which are 12-Year-old bourbons selected as outstanding single barrels and bottled at barrel proof. This one being The earlier versions we reviewed being the other the Barrel Proof Versions at 124.2 released in January of 2017, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 127 Proof Lot B517 in May of 2017, another further release Batch No. C917 in September of 2017, 131.4 Proof BatchC918 in September of 2018, 135.2 Proof Batch A119 in January of 2019, 127.2 Proof Batch No.B520, Batch No. A120 136.6 Proof Version released in early 2020, and the 132.8 Proof C 920 Released this past September of 2020. This bottle/batch represents the release for 2021. Mash Bill is 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, and 10% Rye.
An explanation of Barrel Proof, please look in our classification section. The Barrel Proof series is the latest and follows on from other previous premium releases of a 20-Year-Old and of the 21-Year-Old Version, 23 Year Old Elijah Craig versions. This barrel-proof series has between 3 and 4 releases a year at different proofs due to the variations of the batches. The Elijah Craig Barrel Proof series will also vary in color and taste within a certain (company and brand profile) degree so each one will be different up to that point. Barrels falling outside that profile will probably end up in larger blends, or in extreme cases, sold off to be used somewhere else under a different name.
The other Elijah Craig Barrel Proof we reviewed was the
The Batch letter is code for which release it is for the year (A, B, C, D are batches 1,2,3,4 for the year, First digit is the month (1-January, 5 – May, 9- September), second two numbers denote the year ( in this case 2021).
Appearance: Dark Spanish or dark copper nice aging profile. Similar to its cohorts, on swirling, it leaves a thin to medium coating on the glass. The whiskey then rapidly forms an edge line that crenelates and recedes rather than forming legs.
First Impression: A bit more muted than the previous release. It still exhibits the usual markers for Elijah Craig with grain, caramel, vanilla, saddle soap, Vietnamese cinnamon, leather, cherries, oak, and spirit blending relatively well. if more forward, thankfully more old school than some of the previous incarnations and more back to where it used to be! After the addition of some (nonchlorinated) water, it opens up a bit with ghee notes, dried fruit, leather, and touches of old oak.
Taste: Honeyed entry even at full-on 1123.6 proof ( but we are as we say, professionals ). I would recommend giving it a sip at full barrel proof just so you can appreciate how smooth it is ( at that proof). The Elijah Craig does match the nose/bouquet, with caramel and vanilla, with the char, oak, and leather dialed up a notch. If you want to appreciate the bouquet and taste add some water to open it up a bit. One of the things I like about barrel-proof spirits is you can proof it or mix it to your taste/requirements. Far too many whiskeys are already too watered down before you even get them these days – especially if you are making cocktails with them! With the addition of some water, the bourbon opens its bouquet nicely and becomes a good bit sweeter and less oily with the fruit and spice making a major break out in the taste and a somewhat drier finish with dark fruit overtones. Nicely warm and slightly off dry finish with lingering fruit and char notes.
Drinks: Speaking of which… Recommend for mixing. Makes a nice hearty bourbon component in most of our favorite classic bourbon cocktails. This one has a nicely weighted feel and taste. Add some more ice and/or adjust the portions a little bit ( possibly somewhere between 1/4 and 1/3 less (?) and or stir it a bit longer to taste… You can add ice and water a lot easier than remove them. Enjoy!
Bottle: Elongated Horseshoe-shaped flask-type bottle somewhat taller and leaner looking than the older versions of Elijah Craig. Helpful notation below BARREL PROOF notation on the label “UNCUT, STRAIGHT FROM THE BARREL WITHOUT CHILL FILTRATION”
Other: We are going to go out on a limb here and suggest the reason we may be seeing barrel proof is for two reasons; 1. The demand/fascination/call for Barrel Proof editions of a whiskey, 2. The shortage of stocks of vintage whiskey especially 18 years and older.
Final Thoughts: Another Elijah Craig Barrel Proof release to add and compare to in your collection and also for drinking and enjoying now.
Website: http://www.heavenhill.com/age-gate.php
The main distillery website also has their plethora of other brands they either make of import also. A fairly informative site by industry standards, it does not have as much depth of information on their American Whiskies as the site below does – but offers a great overview of everything they are involved in.
Fast loading and easy to navigate. This is one of the most comprehensive bourbon ( or any other spirit for that matter) websites I have come across – and that is saying a lot! Extensive information and good pictures of how bourbon is made, the distillery, the bourbon heritage with reviews and ratings by different people and organizations of the different vintage years. Also the most extensive store of bourbon-related gear and accessories in the industry.
http://www.bardstownwhiskeysociety.com
The more specific webpage for their higher-end America Whiskey portfolio with a good amount of information, photos, and recipes. If you become a member of the Bardstown Whiskey Society ( recommended) you unlock a lot more information and benefits from joining.
